As the 2025/26 academic year got underway on Monday, September 1, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, reminded parents of the pivotal role they play in shaping their children’s educational success.

Minister Morris Dixon was speaking with parents and guardians while visiting Constant Spring Primary and Infant School in St Andrew.

She noted that the Government, through the Ministry, has invested significantly in education, implementing programmes that are key to helping children reach their full potential.

Dr Morris Dixon emphasised, however, that parents and guardians are also essential in the process.

“You’re going to have to take the phone away from them to make sure that they are focusing on school and not the device. You’re going to have to give them reading books sometimes. Encourage them in their reading because everything is built on reading. Any other skills that they need are going to be built on top of reading.

“The school is going to do everything it can but you have to do your part at home. You’re going to have to support them, encourage them, tell them how special they are all the time. You’re going to have to say, ‘did you do your homework?’” the Minister said.

She urged parents to engage with teachers and schools to identify how they can supplement the learning process when their children get home from school.

“You need to know the teacher. You need to ask the teacher, ‘how is my child doing?’ If the teacher tells you there are some disciplinary issues, you need to work with the teacher. So, as we go through the school year and all their years [in school], I want you to focus on being a partner with us in the Ministry of Education and with the school,” Dr. Morris Dixon added.

While commending parents for accompanying their children on the first day of school, the Minister urged them to maintain that presence throughout the academic year.

“The school can only do so much. They’re at school from maybe 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., but then they’re with you after that, so you’re going to have to reinforce everything that’s being done here in the school,” the Education Minister affirmed.

She noted that parents are also teachers, capable of imparting critical lessons on kindness, patience and diligence that make a difference in school. 

“See yourself as a big part of this education process. You are an even bigger teacher than their teacher. You’re teaching them about life and so, as we go forward, remember you are the parent of a future leader of this country and this world. So, take your job seriously and go forward. Do your part in building these children,” Dr. Morris Dixon stated.