At Hubert Ogunde Memorial School (HUBOG), effective communication is at the heart of our partnership with parents. Over the years, WhatsApp has become an indispensable tool for our Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), transforming how we share information, gather feedback, collect and analyse data, and build a stronger and resilient school community.
The simplicity and accessibility of WhatsApp has made it a preferred platform for keeping parents informed about school activities, policies, and important updates. If you missed the Head Teacher’s talk during digital inclusion tour 2020, please watch it here. In the update, she shares the benefits of WhatsApp and how HUBOG employed the App during the pandemic.
At HUBOG, we have continued to employ WhatsApp since the pandemic! We have also continued to align technology to our value system!
Today, HUBOG parents can access announcements, reminders, schedules, and lots more at the tap of a button, ensuring no one misses out on key information. WhatsApp’s instant messaging feature allows for real-time updates, ensuring timely communication during emergencies or changes in school schedules.
Moreover, WhatsApp is fostering stronger connections between our parents and teachers. The platform enables respectful and focused discussions, allowing parents to ask questions, share concerns, and celebrate achievements. Teachers, in turn, can provide quick responses and insights, creating a supportive and collaborative environment for everyone involved.
One of the standout benefits of WhatsApp is its ability to strengthen parent engagement. Through polls, surveys, and group discussions, parents have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and ideas. This inclusivity not only empowers parents but also helps the school make decisions that reflect the collective interests of our community.
WhatsApp also supports multimedia sharing, enabling us to send images, videos, and documents that bring school activities to life. Whether it’s photos from a school event, links from the school website, or PDFs of newsletters, parents can stay connected and feel part of their child’s learning journey.
The use of WhatsApp as a communication tool for PTAs is not unique to our School, as many schools in Nigeria have adopted similar practices. However, what makes its implementation at our school distinctive is how it is tailored to foster the specific needs and values of our community.
For instance:
- Cultural Alignment: WhatsApp aligns well with the communication preferences of the school’s parent demographic, making it an effective choice for your specific community.
- Community Engagement: The emphasis on inclusivity, collaboration, and active participation in decision-making through WhatsApp groups may set Hubert Ogunde Memorial School apart.
- Efficient Integration: The integration of multimedia sharing for event highlights and updates ensures that parents are not just informed but also feel involved in their children’s educational journey.
One of the notable benefits of WhatsApp at our school is being able to involve parents in the school’s public stories and multimedia design, where our Parents actively contribute to the school’s website thought the PTA WhatsApp group. For example, read Mrs. Chidima’s story: My Son’s journey with Hubert Ogunde Memorial School.
Involving parents through the PTA in updating and contributing to the Hubert Ogunde Memorial School website offers numerous benefits:
1. Enhanced Engagement and Ownership
Stronger Connection: Parents feel more connected to the school and its activities when they are actively involved.
Sense of Ownership: Involvement fosters a sense of pride and responsibility toward the school’s representation.
2. Diverse Perspectives
Broader Input: Parents bring unique perspectives, helping to make the website more inclusive and relatable.
Community Representation: Content reflects the diversity and values of the school community.
3. Improved Communication
Two-Way Dialogue: Parents can help ensure the website addresses their needs, making it a more effective communication tool.
Clarity: FAQs, updates, and resources contributed by parents can address common concerns.
4. Increased Website Relevance
Authentic Content: Parents can provide real-life stories, testimonials, and experiences, making the content more engaging and relatable.
Timely Updates: Parents can assist in keeping the website up-to-date with events, achievements, and announcements.
5. Strengthened Community Spirit
Collaborative Effort: Working together strengthens the bond between parents, teachers, and the school administration.
Shared Goals: Encourages a unified vision for the school’s growth and visibility.
6. Better Advocacy for the School
Word of Mouth: Engaged parents become ambassadors, promoting the school’s values and achievements.
Social Media Sharing: Parents involved in content creation are more likely to share and amplify the website’s reach.
7. Skills and Resources Contribution
Professional Expertise: Parents with relevant skills (e.g., web design, content writing, or photography) can enhance the website’s quality.
Resource Pooling: Collaboration through the PTA can provide additional resources like images, videos, and other media.
8. Trust and Transparency
Open Collaboration: Involvement builds trust between parents and the school by demonstrating transparency and inclusivity.
Visibility: Parents gain a clearer understanding of school initiatives, fostering trust in leadership.
9. Boosted Student Morale
Parental Participation: Students feel proud and supported when their parents are actively involved in school activities.
Recognition: Featuring student achievements contributed by parents boosts motivation and confidence.
By integrating parents’ contributions via the PTA, the school can create a dynamic, inclusive, and engaging website that truly represents the school community while fostering collaboration and trust. As we continue to embrace digital tools like WhatsApp, we are reminded of the importance of accessible, efficient, and inclusive communication. At Hubert Ogunde Memorial School, we remain committed to leveraging technology to enhance our PTA interactions and nurture a thriving partnership with our parents.
By embracing platforms that make communication seamless, we are not only building a stronger school community but also ensuring that every parent feels valued and informed. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our students.