Stop outsourcing parenting

As a student, I have seen the transformative impact of parental involvement in academics. When my parents attended parent-teacher meetings (PTMs) and showed interest in my studies, my performance soared.

I was surely not alone in experiencing the phenomenon. Research across the world has shown that students perform better when parents are actively involved in their academics. Education is not something that begins and ends in a classroom. No matter how good a school is, its efforts fall flat if not supported by parents at home. Parental involvement is no longer optional; it is essential. In Pakistan, we are witnessing a silent crisis on this count. Parents see their job as accomplished once they have paid the fee and bought the books and uniforms. Increasingly, we see the parental belief getting stronger that education is solely the school’s domain, which is not the case.

A child’s learning is shaped by daily experiences, home conversations, and emotional support — things only parents can provide. In many cases, the root cause is not negligence; it is exhaustion. Parents are juggling long work hours under the pressure of rising inflation. Sometimes, it is incapacity and even illiteracy. But there is a difference between being unavailable and being uninvolved. A parent does not have to be highly educated to show interest. Asking the children about their day at school, attending a PTM, or simply encouraging them can make a difference.

Merely blaming schools and teachers for everything has become a national habit; a curse. But it is time for an honest reflection. How many parents actually know what their child is learning, check homework, attend PTMs, or talk about future goals? If we want our children to succeed, we must stop outsourcing parenting. Education must be a shared responsibility between home and school. Teachers can teach, but only parents can build the foundation. What children need the most is not a perfect set of parents, but parents who are present. Think about it.

TOOBA TARIQ

KARACHI