parents and principals as partners in creating a culture of learning

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SUMMARY
The aim of this study was to pursue an investigation on parents and principals as
partners in creating a culture of learning.
From the literature study it became evident that education in South Africa has
collapsed in many schools. The majority of schools of the former education
departments responsible for Black education are characterised by a high failure
rate, early school dropout, a lack of discipline, low morale and an anti-academic
attitude amongst pupils. To these schools very little has changed since 1994. It
would appear that a "culture of teaching and learning" in these schools does not
exist. The ongoing turmoil in these schools underscores the failure of parents and
principals to work together as partners in assuming responsibility for creating a
culture of learning. Creating a culture of learning involves a collaborative act
between parents and principals. Neither the parent nor the principal alone can
fulfil the task of educating the child adequately. In the interest of the education
of the child, the contact and cooperation between parents and principals should
denote a partnership.
Although the premise exists that parents (child's primary educator) and principals
(child's secondary educator) are indispensable partners for creating a culture of
learning, the situation is far from satisfactory. A huge majority of schools in the
previously disadvantaged African community has failed badly. The causes for the
absence of a learning culture can be attributetl to factors concerning the pupils,
factors concerning the school environment, problems concerning the homes of
pupils and their living environment as well as the lack of parental involvement in
the formal education of their children. Parents and principals as educators have
a vital foie to play in creating a culture of learning. Parents should have no
uncertainties as to their educational responsibilities as primary educators.
Principals are both educational leaders anti managers and their primary task or