Teachers felt frustrated, with one even feeling
‘devastated’, when parents did not come to school.
In some cases parents never showed up for teacherparent
conferences or meetings, or neglected to
return forms to school. Some parents designated
another adult – usually a nanny employed by the
family or a relative such as an aunt or a cousin –
to help with the child. Teachers said that there were
some children who were struggling and that they
wished that parents, rather than someone assigned
to be a carer, were involved. Some teachers surmised
that these parents did not care about their children.
Teachers did concede that there were some situations
in which the parents just could not be involved due
to work commitments or family illnesses. However,
teachers also pointed out that there were some parents
who had other commitments but somehow managed
the connection with the teacher and the school