Education creates a ripple effect – what my parents did for me, I can now pass on to others.
UNESCO champions the principle that no child should be left behind and that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of gender and circumstances.
As discourse around education equity continues, my story is a testament to the impact of parental support when it comes to education.
Back in the day, both my parents worked tirelessly to make ends meet. Despite our daily struggles, my parents repeatedly emphasised the importance of education and strongly believed that education has the power to change one’s fate and life.
They ensured that all their children received fundamental education and were literate, regardless of gender. They were also actively involved in our schooling by attending parent-teacher meetings, report card days, sports days and other events.
Their motivation helped us navigate successes and setbacks, encouraging us to pursue our passions. My elder sisters went on to explore opportunities that led to independent lives.
My younger sister works in the human resources department of a multinational company and I am an educator in Malaysia, teaching local and international students – encouraging them, especially women, to pursue higher education despite societal barriers. Together, our journeys are proof that education can break cycles of poverty.
My brief story highlights how parental involvement can play a crucial role in a child’s education. Parents can provide cognitive support by establishing daily routines and engaging in discussions about future planning and academic challenges, thereby fostering a comprehensive approach to supporting their children’s educational journeys.
By identifying their children’s learning patterns, parents can provide tailored support and appropriate educational resources.
Having unwavering parental support lays the foundation for lifelong learning, resilience and confidence.
Additionally, instilling values such as teamwork and empathy in children while they are still young is crucial in their developmental years.
For example, encouraging children to participate in activities within the classroom and school, and also attending community activities as a family makes a difference when done together.
Parental involvement enhances academic success while also fostering social-emotional well-being, equipping children with the confidence and resilience to overcome challenges and pursue their goals with determination. This is especially important in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), whereby children from Gen Z and Gen Alpha are growing up immersed in digital technology and social media.
As a result, their world views are increasingly influenced by the content they consume online. Therefore, parents must educate them on the safe and responsible use of these tools and actively monitor their online activities.
Simultaneously, this involvement fosters better communication, respect and understanding between children and adults.
Furthermore, instead of solely relying on the school and teachers, parents can plan engaging outdoor activities such as visits to educational and historical sites and involve their children in nature-related experiences such as hiking, camping and gardening. They can also encourage non-device hobbies such as reading, building blocks or even cooking.
Parents need to communicate with their children about their interests and daily experiences, ensuring discipline is applied with intention and clarity.
Recognising the vital role of parents, the government introduced the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, submitted by the Education Ministry, which holds parents legally responsible for ensuring that their children, regardless of gender, are enrolled in and attend school throughout primary and secondary education. This legislation underscores the importance of parental support as a cornerstone in shaping a brighter future for all children as we pursue education for all.
We must recognise that parental involvement in education has the power to not only change individual lives but also to uplift the entire community.
Today, I have taught, supervised and mentored many undergraduate students, some of whom have chosen to pursue postgraduate studies while others have started small businesses that contribute to our local economy.
Education creates a ripple effect – what my parents did for me, I can now pass on to others.
Imagine how far this impact could reach if every parent were actively involved in their children’s education: one child’s success could inspire others to dream bigger, strengthen our community and demonstrate that access to quality education is a catalyst for social and economic development.
Dr Viji Ramamuruthy is a lecturer at the School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor’s University.
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The Sun Malaysia
