Solomon Owusu, the Municipal Education Director for the Sekyere South Municipality, has issued a strong call to action for parents, urging them to play responsible roles in their children’s educational success.
Speaking to the media after a durbar held to honour top-performing students at the forecourt of the Chief’s palace in the Sekyere South Municipality, Owusu, while commending the excelling students, seized the opportunity to address the issue of parental support.
He urged parents and guardians to move away from consistently saying, “I don’t have money,” “I can’t afford this,” or “I can’t afford that” when their children require resources for their education.
Owusu stressed the importance of prioritising essential educational resources, such as textbooks and school supplies.
“Psychologically, providing these things significantly boosts their morale and confidence, making them feel like valued members of their class. This fosters a sense of self-assurance that will benefit them throughout their lives,” he explained.
He cautioned that consistently denying children’s needs could have detrimental effects.
“If children are consistently met with ‘I don’t have it’ when they need something, they may become withdrawn in class, which negatively impacts their learning,” he said. He also noted that children often imitate this behaviour as they grow up, adding that it can lead to negative traits in the future.
Owusu, however, advised parents to make every effort to provide what their children need for school.
“Whether it’s money, textbooks, reading materials, or even a new uniform, parents must try their best to provide or, at the very least, offer words of encouragement even if they can’t afford everything.”
He emphasised the link between learning and psychology, stating that when parents provide these necessities, they instil hope and confidence in their children to learn.
Acknowledging that not all parents may be able to afford the full amount, Owusu stressed the importance of showing effort and providing a portion of what is needed.
“It conveys your support and motivates them. Children will remember and appreciate the support they received at this age and will likely reciprocate when they are able. Consistently denying their needs can have lasting negative effects on your relationship and their future willingness to support you,” he concluded.
