School engages parents in values education

School engages parents in values education

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

"How do I deal with my son if he ignores my orders or questions?
He often comes home from school looking as if he has had a
bad day. What should I do," asked Lita, the mother of a High
Scope Indonesia elementary school student, during a discussion
here on Tuesday.

Lita was one of 270 parents coming to join what the High Scope
Indonesia School, located in South Jakarta, calls "Values
Education Campaign".

Highlighting the campaign was a discussion facilitated by
entertainer Tantowi Yahya.

During the discussion, parents were given the opportunity to
raise questions and share concerns over their children's social
and moral behavior.

The campaign, which started in early February, included an
exhibition of artworks made by pre-school to junior high school
students. The artwork mostly expressed student's concerns about
the earthquake and tsunami disasters, as well as other current
social issues.

The purpose of the campaign was to teach and develop students'
moral values and sense of social responsibility, and to assist
parents in preventing bad behavior in their children.

"Nowadays, most parents feel that their children are more
critical and argumentative," said Rosita, a mother of two
children who study at the school.

Rosita said one effective way to find answers to questions on
the moral behavior of students was for parents to work together
with the school to make sure lessons taught at the school were
applied at home.

"Parents are asked to participate in the parent support group
program, which the school plans to hold regularly," said Rosita.

"Teachers will hand out a list of parenting exercises relating
to building social and moral values, which the parents have to
apply at home with their children. After two weeks, parents are
called by the school to share their experiences in carrying out
the exercises," explained Rosita.

Komaruddin Hidayat, an education expert, said values education
included stimulating children to be curious, self-confident,
cooperative, appreciative, respectful toward others, and
empathetic.

"Remember parents, you can't teach the children what you want;
you can only teach them what you are," said Komaruddin, referring
to the role parents play in educating their children.