Regarding the return to in-person classes for millions of students in Peru, the role that the family plays in this process is fundamental. In this article, we explain why.
According to the Ministry of Education, on Monday, March 14, more than 4 million students in 18 regions of Peru returned to in-person classes, a process that presented a great challenge to students, teachers, parents, and caregivers. Although now, efforts are focused on reinforcing the relationship between minors and their teachers, the family also plays a very important role in the return to schools.
According to Edith Tovar, specialist and educator for the Wiese Foundation’s Educational Quality program: “one of the greatest challenges for parents has been having the time, patience, creativity, and good attitude for distance learning through the TV, radio, or cell phone”, during the time of distance learning resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of this, Edith Tovar recommends that the family should commit themselves responsibly so that the return to classes is successful and identify what their role is in this process.
“Let us remember that the return to classes will be successful if we, the parents, are in agreement with what is proposed for this new moment. For this, we should motivate them and be happy for them. For many children, it will be the first time they attend school, meet their teachers, and form new friendships…For others, it will be the long-awaited reunion. They are all enthusiastic about this new possibility. Let’s be there for them with love”, recommends Tovar.
School and family, teamwork
Edith Tovar explains, furthermore, that during this process of returning to in-person classes, the family should synchronize its view with the school, in other words, it should look in the same direction and have the same objective regarding the adaptation of students in this new phase.
“We should trust in the school, in that the administration and teachers will do their best for each one of our children. We should ensure from the home that the biosafety measures are respected by students. Because of this, what the family does in this respect will have a large impact inside the classroom”, emphasizes Edith Tovar.
“The school needs parents to have a good disposition, a collaborative attitude, and that we will be part of the solution to whatever problem is identified along the way”, added the specialist from the Wiese Foundation.
Lastly, Edith Tovar reminds us that the return to in-person classes is “a crucial moment for the whole educational community” and that the teachers have been waiting for their students enthusiastically this whole time, so “joy has a fundamental role in this encounter between students, friends, and teachers. It is overflowing, as has been demonstrated to date in the different parts of the country and, also, the world”.
