Advertisement
Why parents should feel free to question school decisions
24th September, 2026 12:49 PM
Parents often trust schools to make decisions that support their children’s education, discipline and wellbeing. However, disagreements can arise when a parent feels a school policy or decision does not serve their child’s best interests.
Rather than remaining silent, parents can communicate their concerns respectfully and seek clarification from teachers and school administrators.
Speak up respectfully
Questioning a school decision does not necessarily mean challenging teachers or undermining the institution. It can give parents an opportunity to understand why a particular decision was made and how it is expected to benefit students.
Lilian Ng’ang’a recently encouraged parents to speak up for their children, stressing the importance of sharing opinions in creating a respectful relationship between parents and teachers.
In her post, Ng’ang’a asked parents: “Has your child’s school done something you spoke up against?” She also encouraged parents to consider how openly they communicate their opinions with teachers and school administrators.
Open communication matters
Some parents may hesitate to question schools because they fear being viewed as difficult or interfering. Others may assume teachers and administrators know what is best and therefore choose not to raise concerns.
However, open communication allows both sides to explain their perspectives. A parent may have information about a child’s needs or circumstances that the school may not know, while teachers can provide context behind a decision that may not be immediately clear to the family.
Ng’ang’a’s remarks have highlighted the importance of creating an environment where parents can raise concerns without turning every disagreement into conflict.
Parents have a role
Being involved in a child’s education extends beyond attending meetings or paying school fees. Parents can also take an active interest in decisions affecting their children and ask questions when something does not appear right.
This does not mean every school decision will change after a parent raises an objection. Instead, respectful dialogue can help parents understand the reasoning behind decisions while giving schools an opportunity to consider concerns from families.
When parents and teachers communicate openly, disagreements can become opportunities to understand each other rather than sources of unnecessary tension. Speaking up can therefore be part of responsible parenting when concerns are raised respectfully and with the child’s welfare in mind.
