LITERACY PROGRAMME EMPOWERS PARENTS

November 2024.

To empower parents to actively contribute to their children’s academic and developmental success, a Parental Support Training Programme was recently implemented. Funded by Bokamoso Solar, in collaboration with local schools in and around the Leeudoringstad area and the READ Educational Trust, these workshops aim to improve literacy outcomes by providing parents with essential tools to support their children’s academic achievement, address diverse learning needs, and encourage positive behaviour.

“Empowering parents is a key component in driving long-term educational success for learners. By providing practical tools that parents can use to reinforce literacy at home, we’re creating a more connected learning journey. We have partnered closely with local educators to ensure that the training content is aligned with the academic needs of the learners. This partnership not only equips parents with literacy strategies but also ensures that these techniques are integrated into the classroom for a consistent learning experience,” said Claire Phutieagae, Social Performance Practitioner for Bokamoso Solar.

Hosted at Reahola Primary School, Thusang Primary School, Koketso Primary School, and Atamela Primary School, each three-hour workshop was attended by 20 to 60 parents, covering topics such as Listening and Speaking, Writing, Reading, Phonics, and Phonemic Awareness. Parents learned strategies to help their children develop critical reading and communication skills at home, ensuring a holistic approach to academic success.

The training workshops have already shown a significant impact, with learners whose parents participated displaying marked improvements in academic performance, reading abilities, and classroom engagement.

“I found the workshops very helpful. I now know how to create a better learning environment at home, and my child has been doing much better with their reading. We’ve also started reading together more often, which has brought us closer,” said one of the parents.

Building on the success of these initial workshops, Bokamoso Solar is planning follow-up training sessions to address new challenges and incorporate digital literacy skills to help parents navigate modern educational technologies. Additionally, certificates of participation will be awarded to parents, acknowledging their commitment to their children’s educational growth and success.