Parent Communication Best Practices for Ghanaian Schools

Why Parent Communication Matters

Effective communication between schools and parents is crucial for student success. When parents are informed and engaged, students perform better academically and behaviorally.

Choosing the Right Channel

SMS

Best for: Urgent notifications, reminders, attendance alerts

Reach: 100% of parents (everyone has a phone)

Cost: GHS 0.05 per message

WhatsApp

Best for: Rich content, photos, documents

Reach: 70% of parents

Cost: Free

Email

Best for: Detailed communications, newsletters

Reach: 40% of parents

Cost: Free

Best Practices

1. Be Clear and Concise

Parents are busy. Get to the point quickly.

2. Use the Right Channel

Emergency? Use SMS. Monthly newsletter? Use email.

3. Schedule Messages

Don't send messages at odd hours.

4. Track Delivery

Make sure messages are being received.

5. Allow Two-Way Communication

Parents should be able to respond.

Conclusion

Good communication builds trust and partnership between schools and families. With the right tools, you can keep every parent informed.