One of the recurring challenges in education is the persistent disconnect between the expectations of schools and parents. India’s schools and families often pull in different directions: teachers seek greater parental engagement, while parents expect the school to carry the entire load. Too often, each side treats learning like a delivery service: parents pack the bag, teachers fill it and sign it off. The reality is far richer and far more complex —demanding a shared sense of ownership.
It appears as if the parents responsibility is to pack the boxes (dress the children appropriately with requisite books and tiffin box) and the teachers’ responsibility is to fill these boxes adequately (with concepts, information etc.), pass them through a quality check (regular assessments and report cards) before each batch is successfully passed on to a new class. While this is an exaggerated and simplistic way of looking at the structure of this relationship between the school and the parents, we understand not only the criticality of this relationship but also the nuanced complexity of this collaboration.
Decades of research confirm this. Epstein et al. (2019) found that ‘when students have support from school, home and community, they feel cared for, develop positive attitudes, and strive to reach their full potential’.
A strong parent—teacher relationship is the bedrock of a student’s success. Parents provide routines, encouragement and a quiet study corner. Teachers design engaging lessons, diagnose gaps and motivate learners. WhatsApp messages, Learning information systems, quick phone calls and termly PTMs knit these efforts together.
Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s education by providing the necessary support and resources at home. This includes creating a conducive learning environment, monitoring homework, and fostering a positive attitude towards education. Parental involvement extends beyond academic support; it encompasses emotional encouragement, moral guidance, and the cultivation of social skills.
Extensive research underscores the significant impact that parent-teacher relationships have on students’ academic achievements. A large Chinese study (China Education Panel Survey-CEPS) of 16,000 students found that:
Effective communication is the linchpin of a successful parent-teacher relationship. Here are some strategies that educators and parents can adopt to improve their interactions:
Regular Updates and FeedbackPreparing students for the future is not the responsibility of schools alone — it is a shared mission that calls for deep, intentional collaboration between families, educators, and the wider community. When schools foster strong parent-teacher relationships, maintain transparent communication, and work through challenges together, they create not just academic success but confident, compassionate individuals.
In the Indian context, this collaboration must move beyond formal parent-teacher meetings to include regular classroom updates, community-based learning opportunities, and multilingual engagement. School leaders can empower parents as allies, while parents can champion schools in return — forming a true learning ecosystem.
By reimagining the school-home partnership as a living, evolving village, we create a culture where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired. It’s this unity — built on trust and shared purpose — that lays the foundation for a resilient generation ready to contribute meaningfully to an ever-changing world.
Research Studies: