Parents need to support their children through prayer, praise, and presence, according to Dr. Kasan Troupe. Speaking at Ardenne Preparatory and Extension High School’s Annual School-Leaving Ceremony, Dr. Troupe emphasized the importance of parental involvement in a child's life. The ceremony took place at Ardenne High School in Kingston on Wednesday, July 2nd.
Parental Support
Dr. Troupe, who serves as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, urged parents to actively communicate with God on behalf of their children.
“When we pray, it’s communication with God. You must pray for them, with them on their behalf. You must talk to God about them,"
she said. She also cautioned against focusing on limitations.
“Don’t tell them that they cannot make it. Don’t tell them about their limitations, because we are all different. There is no one path to success."
She noted further, "…there are fruits in all of us".
The Power of Presence
Dr. Troupe stressed that parental presence is crucial for emotional, financial, and physical support. Active communication involves being physically present in a child's life, she explained.
“You communicate by being there. You turn up, you come to school, you turn up with them and you talk to them. You turn up at home – too many of our boys and our girls are parenting themselves. They are on the telephone, they are on the device, there is no physical presence, there is no touch, there is no love, there is no hug, there is no forgiveness in each other, there is no crying in each other. You have got to turn up. That’s communication,”
Moreover, Dr. Troupe stated that children can succeed regardless of their school placement following the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). According to Dr. Troupe, active parental involvement is key to better schools and successful individuals.
“For every good school that we have in the country, it is good because the parents turn up. The parents hold the Ministry accountable. The parents hold the school accountable. For every woman, for every champion, it is the parents’ presence that makes the difference,”
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