This module equips learners with knowledge, skills and competences to create effective school-family-community links. Educators and school management teams have to respect the social and emotional needs of students when engaging with communities and families within the educational structure. These three components (school, family, and community) are critical in shaping and influencing the student’s education journey. As professionals, educators need to acknowledge that parents, as well as other members of the community, have knowledge and experiences that can help and equip the child with further resources.

Engaging families and communities helps schools understand and learn about what students are exposed to and what they are learning at home, as families very often provide the first educational space a child encounters and this needs to be acknowledged. When a school includes families in its day-to-day activities and practices, it is helping to develop the skills of the parents, extending the school community to the wider community as well as breaking down the barriers which may hinder the educational journey of the student.

This module will help learners plan for effective collaboration, share the vision with the students’ families and engage communities within the school’s day-to-day running.