Parents of learners from four local schools in the Naledi Local Municipal area and Leeudoringstad are honing their parental skills through a Parental Support Training Programme. This initiative, funded by Waterloo Solar and Bokamoso Solar in partnership with the READ Educational Trust, aims to strengthen the role of parents in their children’s education by providing them with practical tools to support literacy and academic achievement.
Claire Phutieagae, Social Performance Practitioner for Waterloo Solar and Bokamoso Solar, highlighted the importance of empowering parents, stating, “By providing practical tools that parents can use to reinforce literacy at home, we’re creating a more connected learning journey. Our partnership with local educators ensures that the training content aligns with the academic needs of the learners, fostering a consistent learning experience both at school and at home.” Through a series of training workshops hosted at Reahola Primary School, Thusang Primary School, Koketso Primary School, and Atamela Primary School, within the Bokamoso community radius and Colinda, Retlaadira and Moeti primary schools, within the Waterloo community focused area, parents learned techniques to help their children develop critical reading, writing, and communication skills.
Each three-hour session, attended by 20 to 60 parents, covered essential literacy topics such as Listening and Speaking, Writing, Reading, Phonics, and Phonemic Awareness. “We’ve noticed a real difference in the learners whose parents attended the workshops. Learners are more engaged, confident, and better prepared for their lessons,” shared one of the teachers.
In addition to literacy techniques, the programme encourages parents to create supportive home environments, enhancing the overall learning experience for children. “I now know how to create a better learning environment at home, and my child has improved significantly with their reading. We’ve also started reading together more often, which has brought us closer,” said one of the participating parents.
Building on the success of the initial workshops, Waterloo Solar and Bokamoso Solar are planning follow-up sessions to address evolving challenges and introduce digital literacy components, helping parents navigate modern educational technologies. Certificates of participation will be awarded to parents, acknowledging their dedication to their children’s educational development.
