Learning activities start before children enter school and continue until they leave school. The educational process reaches its highest point through collaboration between parents and educational institutions who share a common goal. The National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework along with recent High Powered Committee recommendations on school education reforms in India have brought renewed attention to this concept. The frameworks establish parents as the main contributors who guide their children’s educational experience. The research shows that when parents participate in their children’s education it leads to better academic results and improved emotional health and enduring achievements.

The first educational experience for a child begins at home through parental guidance. Children acquire language skills and develop their values and habits and their desire to explore the world while they learn at home before they start their formal education. The research consistently demonstrates that children whose parents actively support their educational journey achieve better academic results. Students demonstrate better attendance rates and enhanced dedication to their studies and display improved conduct. The educational system cannot close learning gaps between schools and homes when families do not participate in their children’s academic activities.

The National Education Policy 2020 gives strong support to family and community members who participate in educational activities. The program considers parents to be equal partners instead of treating them as non active participants. The policy states that early childhood care and education requires extensive help from parents. The period before six years of age accounts for 85 percent of human brain development. Parental involvement is essential for success at this stage of development. The NEP goals can be achieved through parent-driven activities which include reading at home storytelling and play-based learning.

The NEP 2020 framework requires schools to establish ongoing parent-teacher meetings which should focus on academic progress instead of just evaluating grades. The program encourages parents to learn about their child’s academic competencies and learning outcomes and overall educational development. The evaluation system now assesses learners based on their ability to utilize knowledge rather than their capacity to memorize information. Parents who comprehend their child’s learning process and outcomes can help their children effectively by providing assistance at home.

The National Curriculum Framework further strengthens this idea. The approach supports learner centered education which requires recognition of different contexts for each student. Parents provide that context. Parents help teachers understand a child’s strengths and weaknesses and their language abilities and emotional support needs. Teachers use this information to develop customized teaching materials. Parental involvement is essential because many students face learning challenges which stay concealed without their parents’ knowledge.

The NCF framework supports experiential learning while reducing the need for students to carry textbooks. The parental role functions as a primary component for this process. Parents should encourage their children to observe things and ask questions and use their knowledge in real situations. Basic activities such as news discussions and ingredient measurements and nature observations help reinforce what students learn in school. Active participation in this process helps students understand better their learning material and their new abilities. The HPC reports indicate that parents who do not engage with their children will result in their children losing academic performance and their capacity to learn effectively. Schools achieve better outcomes when parents take part in management committees and monitoring procedures and feedback loops. The presence of community members who oversee activities helps organizations operate transparently while they deliver services.

Parental involvement boosts children’s mental health outcomes. Academic pressure and social comparison and results anxiety have become major problems for students in today’s environment. Parents who stay open with their children support their children to handle stress better. The NEP 2020 identifies student wellbeing as a fundamental objective for educational institutions. Students need emotional safety at home because this condition supports their educational objectives. Parents who listen to their children without passing judgment help their children build resilience and self-confidence.

Parental involvement boosts both student attendance and their ability to follow school rules. Parents establish home study patterns by monitoring their children’s daily activities and school attendance. The situation requires guidance not control. The most effective schools achieve better student retention rates through parental interactions with educators who track student attendance and academic performance.

The rise of digital education has increased parental responsibilities. Students who participate in online or blended learning section need home-based supervision and learning support. The digital divide problem becomes more serious when parents lack knowledge about the situation. The NEP 2020 program requires digital literacy training for family members because it serves as a basic requirement. Parents who acquire basic technology knowledge will enable their children to operate digital devices in an appropriate manner.

Parental engagement plays a crucial role in creating equal opportunities for students to receive education. Students who belong to first-generation families and those who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds need additional educational assistance. The educational achievement of children between ages 4 and 5 remains dependent on parental encouragement. The HPC reports indicate that welfare programs will not succeed without parental knowledge about their operation. When parents have knowledge their children will obtain funding for their education through scholarships and nutrition programs and support services.

The process of parental involvement needs to take a positive direction. Academic pressure which comes from parents who demand high grades or set impossible goals leads to negative effects on students’ educational experience. The NEP 2020 document advises against excessive competitive behavior. Parents need orientation and guidance. The schools need to develop parental training programs through educational workshops and meetings and they should use simple communication methods. The process of building awareness will establish a partnership between the two parties. The policy frameworks clearly assign responsibility to schools as well. Schools should create inviting spaces where parents can visit. The school needs to maintain respectful communication with parents through continuous contact. The school should give feedback to parents through their regular contact with parents. Parents will take part in school activities when the administration shows appreciation for their contributions.

Some Schools face challenges because they deal with teacher shortages and infrastructure problems and resource limitations. Parents who actively participate in school activities will help maintain student attendance and safety and school operations. Community members who work together to keep educational institutions running during times help sustain their operations. Strengthening school education needs collective responsibility between all stakeholders. The educational system involves parents as essential entities who need to participate. The central stakeholders of the system include both parents and school officials. NEP 2020, NCF and HPC feedback all point in one direction. Education improves when families and schools move together. The educational system grows stronger through parental dedication of time and attention. The educational process enables children to gain knowledge while providing long term benefits to society.

Mukhtar Ahmad Qureshi is a teacher by profession.

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