Dr. Pedro Noguero, in his lecture "Partnerships That Matter: How Universities Can Have an Impact on the Communities They Serve", addressed an important issue concerning parents of children in schools. He mentioned how building a partnership between schools and the parents is important for the students. Parents, if they know what their children are learning in school, can help extend the learning from the school into their home that will allow the children to practice what they learn. Another very important aspect of this partnership is the build on the idea that "educators must develop the resources and expertise to meet students' needs". He told a great story about a school in Africa where the community became involved. Furthermore, the school provided a portion of a land where the school stood for the mothers to farm and feed the children at schools as well as sell at the market for a profit.
After listening to Dr. Noguero, I realized that a similar occurrence existed in Palau's Koror Elementary School (KES). In 2010, my uncle, who was a member of the Parent's Committee and whose two sons attended Koror Elementary School--one son was in the 3rd and the other in the 1st grade, told me that the parents and school had a meeting in which to resolve the issue that children were coming to school hungry. Their parents also could not afford to pay lunch dues and so their kids couldn't eat lunch. The school and parents came together to donate money to pay for those unpaid dues so that all children may eat! Not only did this happen, but some parents had related the news to other members of the communities and co-workers. As a result, these people also donated money towards the school.
I also realized that the parents at Koror Elementary School are really involving the parents in other ways. And the parents are so enthusiastic to help! My little cousin, the 1st grader, and his 1st grade class had a field trip to visit the state of Ngchesar and take short boat trip in Ngchesar to see the mangroves, swamp, and the crocodiles--we only got to see one huge croc! Anyway, the parents rode in their cars along with the two school bus that carried the children. They carried the kids' lunches and snacks, and they also participated as chaperones for the kids to help the teachers. After Ngchesar and the mangrove boat ride, all the kids, the three teachers, and all the parents rode up to Ngiwal to set up their lunches and eat together! WHAT WAS EVEN MORE AWESOME was that parents who had family in Ngiwal had phoned earlier in the day to let their families in Ngiwal know that the school kids were coming SO when we arrived in Ngiwal, a few of the families were waiting with other food and drinks. They welcomed everyone and had already set up a couple of resting areas for us and the kids to eat lunch. I did not realize how important this was to the schooling and education....but after Dr. Nogero's lecture, I realize that partnerships with parents and the community is very important. Especially when resources are lacking. Parents at KES were able to help in paying dues so all the kids would be able to eat and not go hungry in class. Parents donated their time and money to help the teachers provide the students' a great learning and fun experience at the trip. The community in Ngiwal also became a significant part of the children's education that day.
