Principals work best with parents' support

SINGAPORE - An endearing principal-parent relationship is conducive to learning ("Principals now face higher expectations"; last Saturday).

In the past, the principal was revered as an important figure who played a pivotal role in character building and moulding students into useful citizens.

As such, the principal would gain the support of parents whose children were subjected to disciplinary action. Openly disagreeing with or lodging complaints against principals with the authorities were unheard of.

However, the situation is different nowadays, because parents are better educated and informed and know more about the education system.

They are also aware of their rights and the service which the principal is obliged to provide.

The newer generation of parents has a desire to know how the school systems work, and whether they are beneficial to their children.

In other words, they want to be engaged in processes the school undertakes, and are willing to offer suggestions and feedback as and when necessary.

To this end, principals should realise that their continued relevance and delivery of excellent value in the education field require the cooperation and understanding of parents; it is a shared responsibility.

Jeffrey Law Lee Beng

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