Parents' representative demands: Education must finally be a priority!

Parents' representative demands: Education must finally be a priority!

Education is a central topic in society, and the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Parents' Advisory Council (LER) brings a breath of fresh air into the discussion. At the autumn plenary meeting in Plau am See, Diana Zander was elected as the new chairwoman. She comes from Stralsund and has set herself the goal of strengthening parent involvement in schools. Zander emphasizes that true acceptance and transparency in the education system can only be achieved through the active participation of parents. She stands firmly by the idea that education must be high on the political agenda in order to advance necessary reforms that, among other things, address the loss of classes and the shortage of teachers.

With Sebastian Ewald and Marcel Thiele, Zander has strong representatives at her side, both of whom come from the Rostock district. Former chairman Tobias Lankow did not stand for re-election for personal reasons. Zander names the challenges in the education system: declining school leaving certificates, inadequate school social work and a lack of afternoon care. She calls for these issues to be addressed decisively, while also pointing out the need for financial support.

Parental involvement as a key to equal opportunities

The importance of parental involvement is underlined by numerous studies. As the Federal Agency for Civic Education states, family background has a significant influence on the educational opportunities of children and young people. Socially disadvantaged children and those with a migrant background in particular often have poorer school performance. The connection between social background and educational success is stronger in Germany than the OECD average, which shows that there is an urgent need for action.

Research also shows that parents' influence on their children's academic success remains high throughout their school years. Parents who actively participate in school life can increase their children's motivation and performance. It is particularly important that schools specifically address and include socially disadvantaged families. Measures to promote parental involvement should be adapted to local circumstances in order to offer all children fair opportunities.

Ways to improve the educational landscape

An important aspect is communication between teachers and parents, which often takes place on an event-related basis. School success depends not only on academic performance, but also on positive homework support from parents. Studies show that parents with higher social status in particular are more actively involved. The aim here is to break down barriers and create offers that reach all parents, regardless of what social background they come from.

The Corona crisis has only increased the existing blooms of educational inequality, which is why it is all the more important that parents are seen not only as supporters, but as equal partners in the educational process. The reforms called for by Zander must be implemented in order to enable inclusive education for all children and to have a decisive influence on their life path.

Overall, under the new chairmanship of Diana Zander, the signs point to change and more parental involvement in order to sustainably improve children's educational opportunities and create a fairer educational landscape. For a strong society, education is the key, and it starts at home.

For more information on this topic, see Northern Courier and bpb.de.