Towards better communication

They also help in communicating to parents the areas in which their children are excelling in and the areas of concern.

At school level, parents’ meets happen regularly and teachers and parents work together for the academic success of children.

But, once the students move to colleges, the communication between a teacher and parent reduces. Parents too don’t like to interfere much in the academic aspects of their children.


At the Pre-University level, almost all the colleges call for parents’ meeting at least once in the academic year. But, at the under-graduation level, colleges don’t consider such meets as mandatory. In special cases, they send letters to parents about the attendance and other issues relating to their children.

“We conduct parents’ meet every year to familiarise the parents with the institution and to meet the teachers. We collect feedback from the parents on the teaching-learning process. Thus we get to know about their expectations from the college, teachers, their opinion about the curriculum, fee structure etc. We also show them the projects done by their wards, answer sheets, the attendance pattern,” says Madhusoodhan, Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department of City College.

Raveesh, a lecturer of mechanical engineering, adds, “Sometimes, we invite the parents of those students with whom we have some problems. We send letters and discuss with them the problem. Some parents skip these meetings thinking that this is just a routine process. But parents should attend the meeting without fail as we need their suggestions on how to improve their child’s performance.”

Most of the students don’t have any issues about their parents being briefed about their academic developments. “My parents never miss  the parents’ meet. But, whenever they attend one, they start comparing me with other students who score more than me. Usually, I don’t hide anything from them. So, I am not afraid about their meeting my teachers,” says Raghavendra, a student.

As per the guidelines of the respective universities, the colleges do have a separate Parents’ Council to look after the matters concerning students. “This body includes some parents, teachers, principal and people from the college management. They meet regularly and discuss the issues in detail. Every year, we shuffle this body and take new members. Of late, we have been getting good response from the parents and parents’ meets here saw more than 90 percent attendance,” says Professor Chandrashekhar, HOD of Commerce Department, PES College.