by Author Name Withheld 135

Created on: June 19, 2009   Last Updated: July 05, 2009

Teachers are often the obvious scapegoat in a situation where a pupil is underperforming. Afterall, they are the visible faces of education. But actually, I really believe that what a teacher can achieve is always either limited or furthered by certain other aspects of the pupil's life.

Parents have to take their responsibility when a child underperforms. If a child achieves an amazing score, the parents are there praising, after all and any success a child attains is often attributed to a parent. Why then, by the same token, should a parent not also be responsible for less successful endeavours? Education and learning does not stop at the end of the school day. It should be a constant thing, which means the home environment and parenting play a crucial role. I strongly believe that parents absolutely must have a role in being aware of exactly what homework their son or daughter is assigned, etc., and to ensure that it is completed and that they see this homework! A parent ought to know what the child is studying at school at the moment and should be actively involved in their education.

The school at which the teacher works might also be a limiting factor. Budgets, budgets, budgets! Yes, even education has to make the numbers work out right and throughout the world, under funded schools let down students in a number of ways. The simple fact is that a teacher who cannot obtain the resources he or she needs has to do without and simply improvise. Of course this impacts on the results of the children. In addition, overcrowded classrooms mean more pupils per teacher and less attention for each student. This will always have a negative effect on results and the simple fact of the matter is that a teacher has to make do and achieve the best with whatever resources they are given. Unhappy with resources at a school? That is not a teacher's fault. Blame your government or education authority.

And of course social elements play a part. Children get in with the wrong crowd sometimes. Sometimes it isn't cool to do well. Problems outside the classroom can cause a downturn in the quality of results a child produces.

This is just intended to point out a number of other factors that contribute to results and school performance. Of course, a good teacher is essential if a student is to achieve good grades. After all, a teacher is at the forefront of motivation. I still remember to this day my favourite teachers and a certain Mr. Cook who lit up Romeo and Juliet in such a way that a bunch of reluctant teenagers were able to not only understand the play, but to appreciate and enjoy it. The difference between a good and bad teacher really can be the difference between a pass and fail. But teachers should not be held solely responsible for the poor grade on a test, at least not without considering other factors.

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