Parents revision guide as KCSE 2016 approaches

We all have a role to play towards ensuring the best for our students. You might not be sitting for an exam but in one way or another, you have a link to someone who will sit for the exams.

To the dear parents, support your sons and daughters at this opportune time. Its a time where they have to make such tough decisions and they need humble time for them to give out the best. They need to see your willingness and moral support as well. Many are the times we as parents fail to support our students and later punish them for their bad performance once the results are released. It is the dream of every parent to see their children prosper and perform well. However, we should realize that we have a role to play as well in delivering such good results. In other terms, we sit for the exam as well though not directly.

How many times have you called them (if in boarding schools) and checked on whether all is well. If the student comes back to the house each day, have you checked on how he or she is faring on. A single word a day can make a big difference in their lives. Are you sure they have enough pocket money? If they end up doing small household mistakes, how then do we correct them?

There is a great need for the parents to promote the best reading and revision environment once the candidates are at home. “Chama’s” and other meetings can be held in the neighbor’s place if they cannot be postponed. Visitors and other guests can visit any other times when our candidates are through with their exams. If need be, in order to create more time for them to revise, relieve of some household chores.

God is one true pillar that we can always turn to. Do you hold prayers with your son or daughter and pray for their exams? Do you alone, as a parent, take time to pray for them as well. I remember while in high school, thanks to the management back then, or parents could be sent a text message each day in the morning to wake them up to ray for the students. Take time and let God do His will on your son or daughters performance.

Ever come across this Bible Verse in James 1:17?

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Try to listen, absorb, and contain the distress of your son or daughter through affirmation and reassurance. Make sure they know that they are worth to you and not only the exams.

It also helps for parents to put things in perspective: exams are important but your child’s whole life does not depend on them, although it may feel like that at the time.

Think back to your own youth and remember that when the worst happened, it usually wasn’t as bad as you expected: it’s what you did next that made the difference.

Lastly, let us be ready to accommodate the results. Life is multi-dimensional. You cannot measure the success of your daughter or son by merely how they fared in the exams.

If the results are good, congratulate them and celebrate with them. If the otherwise happens, congratulate them and show them that there is more to come. Let them not feel discouraged, let them know that more is to come, the past is gone, and a future, still lies ahead. It does not matter how many times we fall but how many times we rise after the fall.

Let me take this opportune and sincere opportunity to wish the Class of 2016 all the best.

All the best.