parents and principals as partners in creating a culture of learning

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is losing control over the child. There are children who come home to an empty
house and no-one to talk to. He or she faces the temptations of drugs, sex and
alcohol (Oliver, Smith, Le Roux, 1996:51-56).
Where parents are substance abusers, children are victimised by physical abuse;
they may also suffer because of economic deprivation and instability. There is
also a high divorce rate in South Africa, a condition which is harmful to society
in general (Van Wyk, 1994:40). In today's society, schools alone cannot meet all
children's needs. The sheer number of at-risk children, street children, problem
situations, economic disadvantages, unemployment, crime and the scars of
apartheid all combine to form a formidable negative force against sound education.
Perhaps the most under-utilised resource in the schooling of South Africa's
children is the parent (Gelderblom & McKay, 1995:29-33).
According to Tiddy (1987:49) family units "have the potential to be powerful
influences for social change, towards a more equitable and just society." The
parents' example of moral and civic values, and choices are important because
they are the child's most important role models. If children are to become aware
of their own and other people's values, they need practice in recognising and
evaluating these values (Lemin, Potts & Welsford (eds), 1994:2).
It is logical to state that the inadequate family is the antithesis of the stable family
- no love, no internal control, no mutual understanding, interest and respect and
no guidance towards ultimate emancipation from the parent. The inadequate
family is found on all socioeconomic and cultural levels but tends to be more
prevalent among poor, large families (Booyse et al., 1994:60). In such families
according to Vorster & Van der Spuy (1995:62) children speak poorly and have
trouble communicating; the parents are often separated or overwhelmed with
trouble and problems; they live from hand-to-mouth and from day-to-day. They
therefore have little or no time for their children's needs. Instead of close bonds