Proposals are being put forward on social networks regarding the organization of parent meetings for students in universities as well. It is noted that although open days are held in higher education institutions, these meetings are mostly conducted by listening to the demands and suggestions of parents. However, if regular parent meetings are organized as in schools, teachers can provide parents with detailed information about their children's attitude towards lessons, responsibility, and behavior.
For this very reason, it is proposed to hold parent meetings in universities as well. It is stated that if this proposal is realized, students will approach their lessons with greater responsibility and their academic performance will improve. "Because in many cases, although students leave home under the guise of “going to class”, they do not actually attend classes", it is noted.
Former deputy, "Honored Teacher" Sona Aliyeva spoke to AzEdu.az on the topic.
Our interviewee noted that if a higher education institution cannot monitor a student's attendance, academic performance, and attitude towards exams, then shifting this responsibility to the parent is an evasion of the problem:
"Firstly, it should be noted that a university is not a school. Higher education is a stage based on responsibility, not control. A student is a mature, legally independent person, and their attendance or non-attendance at class should be measured by their personal stance, not by a parent meeting.
The main problem behind the idea of parent meetings is actually different: academic control mechanisms in universities function poorly. The university itself should monitor attendance, class discipline, and whether the student is truly engaged in the academic process. Transferring this function to parents means questioning the essence of higher education. Indeed, there is a reality that some students leave home under the guise of “going to class” but do not attend. However, this problem cannot be solved by a parent meeting. This indicates a gap in the university's own system.
If a higher education institution cannot monitor a student's attendance, academic performance, and attitude towards exams, then shifting this responsibility to the parent is an evasion of the problem. Holding a parent meeting at a university is to reduce a mature individual back to the level of a school student. This approach will not increase the student's sense of responsibility; on the contrary, it will diminish their self-confidence. In this case, the message the student receives is: “You are not responsible for your own life; your parent is responsible".
If a student does not attend class, they should feel the consequences. In this case, the reaction of the system, not the parent, should be seen:
"If the goal is indeed to improve academic performance, the solution is not to hold parent meetings. The solution lies in a transparent attendance system, real assessment, the teacher's responsible attitude towards the student, and the university making its own rules functional. If a student does not attend class, they should feel the consequences; in this case, the reaction of the system, not the parent, should be seen. Of course, the connection between the parent and the university should not be completely severed. However, this connection should be educational, informative, and voluntary in nature.
For example, in the first years, general information, an explanation of university rules, and general information about the academic situation can be sent to the parent based on the student's consent. However, holding regular parent meetings is already absurd and contrary to the spirit of higher education. A university is a place of freedom. And freedom is measured by responsibility, not control. The problem is not with the student, but with the improper establishment of the higher education system's mechanism".
