Parents should not leave all the responsibility of raising children to schools. They also need to learn how to support their children’s mental health, behaviour and education, according to the Founder and School Director of Tubafashe Academy School, Dr. Chaste Uwihoreye.
Speaking about children’s well-being, Dr. Uwihoreye said a child’s education does not begin and end in the classroom. Instead, it starts at home, where children first learn values, behaviour and emotional skills.
He said schools can provide a safe and supportive learning environment during the day, but children may still struggle if they return to homes where there is conflict, poor communication or little emotional support.
“A child may spend the whole day in a good school environment, but when they go back home, they may find a completely different situation. If there is no peace, no communication or no support at home, the child’s well-being is affected. That is why we believe parents should learn alongside their children,” Dr. Uwihoreye said.
He said this is why Tubafashe Academy has created a Parents’ Room, a space where mothers and fathers can receive guidance on positive parenting and children’s mental health. Parents can also meet with teachers or counsellors to discuss family challenges and find solutions before problems affect their children.
“Education is not only for children. Parents also need guidance on how to raise children in today’s world. When parents learn better ways of communicating, listening and supporting their children, the whole family benefits,” he said.
“At Tubafashe Academy, we have a Parents’ Room where parents can come at any time to talk about challenges they are facing at home. We help them find peaceful solutions so family problems do not affect the child’s well-being or mental health. Sometimes children should not even notice that their parents are going through difficulties because adults can solve those problems in a healthy way,” he added.
According to Dr. Uwihoreye, strong cooperation between schools and families helps children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.
“Teachers and parents should not work separately. They should share information, solve problems together and support the child as one team. When both sides work together, children perform better in school and grow into responsible people,” he said.
Parents at Tubafashe Academy say regular meetings with teachers have helped them better understand their children’s needs beyond academic performance.
One parent, Omar Ernest, said parents should remain actively involved in their children’s lives even after dropping them off at school.
“Paying school fees is not enough. Children need love, guidance and encouragement at home. When parents and teachers communicate regularly, it becomes easier to understand what a child needs and how to help them succeed,” he said.
Another parent, Mukamanzi Aline, said parents should take time to listen to their children instead of reacting with punishment whenever problems arise.
“Sometimes children struggle because they are worried, afraid or stressed. Parents need to listen first and understand what the child is going through. Working together with teachers helps us support our children in the right way,” she said.
Dr. Uwihoreye said schools have an important role in creating opportunities for parents to learn through counselling sessions, parenting workshops and regular discussions with teachers.
He believes that when schools educate both children and parents, the benefits go beyond better grades.
“Our goal is not only to help children pass examinations. We want them to grow into healthy, confident and responsible people. That can only happen when schools and families work together,” he said.
As more attention is being given to children’s mental health, educators say strong partnerships between schools and parents are becoming more important than ever. They believe a child’s well-being starts at home and continues at school, making both environments equally important for healthy development and successful learning.
