Students Respond to Parents' Interest

Te Ao Hou, December 1965, Page 11

Students Respond to Parents' Interest An extremely significant result was that in several instances a student responded to the presence of his parent at the Centre as a parent-supervisor by showing an increased interest in his school work. Many parents do not come up to the expectations of their children because they are unable to assist with homework. What actually is a lack of confidence is interpreted by the child as a lack of interest. Consequently the child's interest in school wanes. By an occasional attendance at the Study Centre the parent reassures his child of his practical interest. The students themselves are aware of the benefits they derive from attending the study sessions. The qualified supervisors are prepared to assist in their own particular field and over the week a good coverage of school subjects is obtained. The students also find assistance from amongst themselves by discussing their work. One cannot overlook the social atmosphere inherent in these study sessions. The students obviously enjoy sitting down together to do their homework. Although the rolls of both Centres are large, attendances are not always of the same order. Research reveals that distance often influences attendance. It has been particularly apparent at Ohinemutu that Koutu children have difficulty in getting to the Centre. The fall-off in attendance of Koutu students is disconcerting. The initial interest shown suggests that if transport were to be provided a high rate of attendance would be maintained. Hired transport (preferably a bus) could service both Study Centres, and the full benefits of the facilities provided could be utilised. Finance, of course, is the problem.