SCHOOLS NEED TO OPEN UP...

                                                     SCHOOLS  NEED TO OPEN UP…                                                        “…when a school has its act together…they become more confident and proactive in seeking parent and community connections…” (Leadership and sustainability; Michael Fullan; p. 60)

 In my view , Schools as institutions exist in the society for the development of the society.   But in recent times schools, in general, seem to have disconnected from the community around it or it could also be because of some reasons best known to it, community keeps away from the school. I think in both the situations, schools are bound to be affected because it nests in society and entry to the nest cannot be insulated/gated for the’ birds whose progeny’ are inside. schools need to open up to participation, that too actively, by the parents and community .

The way forward is, I think, to set up active channels of communication –directly and indirectly through notes PTMs, SMCs, telephones and magazines in a conventional way and could also be through participation in all school activities. All this, in my view, could invite the community for partnerships for increasing achievement levels of students.  Because in my opinion , communication has to be less of a criticism and more of supportive and positive  so that  students do not have to face a non threatening environment at home .This kind of communication could prove to be an effective intervention which could help build more supportive learning environments at home. Consequently, may be bringing children closer to parents.

This kind of active participation between parent and community, I believe, could also trigger a perceptual image makeover of the school. It would definitely enthuse and comfort, me as a unit of , the parent  and community to know what transpires with children in school. They would be eager to work , and it would come  intrinsically ,for the development of the  school .But I  believe, that such channels of communications can be only established   by any school which has already fostered an  inter relational strong trust between the school leader, staff and the students prior to venturing out for trust building measures. Only Confident leadership supported confident staff who have established a positive work culture within the school will open their schools for scrutiny….