Parents embrace 'Wassel Eyalak' campaign at first days back to school

As the new school year commenced, an initiative called "Wassel Eyalak" ("Take Your Children to School") gained significant traction among parents. Many took to the streets during the first days of classes, walking hand in hand with their children to schools. This act of accompanying children to school was a clear demonstration of parents' desire to provide emotional and moral support to their offspring as they embarked on a fresh academic journey.

The campaign aimed to strengthen familial ties and transform the daily commute to school into a chance for meaningful interaction and communication. Unlike the typical focus on academic achievements, the "Wassel Eyalak" campaign urged parents to engage with their children on a personal level. Encouragement, active listening, and showing genuine interest in the student's day were highlighted as crucial aspects of parental involvement.

Experts emphasized that the simple act of accompanying a child to school can serve as a powerful daily opportunity for connection and conversation. Fahad al-Derham, manager of Mohamed bin Abdulaziz Al Mana Secondary School, underscored the educational and social significance of the initiative, describing it as a meaningful means to foster communication between parents and children.

He pointed out that even an ordinary journey can become an important moment for dialogue, closer interaction, and attentive listening when a parent is present.

Al-Derham stressed that such moments, though seemingly simple, can have a profound positive impact on students, especially during the beginning of the academic year. Children need encouragement and motivation to reestablish their study routines and adapt to the school environment after a break. However, he made it clear that this idea should not be confined to the first day or initial weeks of school.

Instead, the campaign advocated for continuous communication and dialogue between parents and children throughout the academic year.

Families, he emphasized, should serve as essential partners in supporting students and keeping track of their educational progress. By ensuring that students feel genuinely valued and understood by their families, an environment of trust and safety for open dialogue can be cultivated. This, in turn, can strengthen students' sense of responsibility, commitment, and regular attendance while motivating them to make the most of their school day.

Al-Derham stressed that responsibility for monitoring and supporting students extends beyond the school's boundaries and calls for a genuine partnership with families. Such collaboration is vital to reinforcing discipline, encouraging regular attendance, and ensuring students' overall engagement with their education.