Did you know that a teacher can tell a lot about a learner and the parent in an interview? First impressions matter, and therefore, a parent must create an excellent first impression for their child. Through careful and honest responses to the interviewer’s questions, parents could help secure a spot for their child in a school.
Interviewers ask questions depending on the level of education required for the child. For instance, some questions an interviewer asks a parent enrolling their child in preschool differ from those asked to parents of children transitioning to other education levels.
A guide on the questions a parent should expect during an interview goes a long way. It helps a parent prepare well to give responses and be convincing enough to secure a chance for their children in a particular school.
The following are the common questions a parent should expect during a school admission process:
1. Why are you choosing our school?
Here, the interviewer wants to establish your reasons for choosing the particular school and what your expectations for your child are from school. It would be best if you are convincing enough about the qualities that made you settle for the particular school. Talk about the unique attributes of the school that made it stand out among the schools you considered.
A tip — tell the interviewer how enrolling your child into the school is beneficial to you and your child.
2. Where are you from?
The interviewer would like to establish your residential location. They would want to know how convenient it is for your child to travel to and from school. Knowing your home location would help the teachers come up with ways of helping you.
For instance, suppose your residential home is farther away from the school, they could suggest a means of transport for your child, through maybe a school bus.
3. Are you employed?
For CBSE schools admission, the question about employment status helps to gauge the parent’s financial capability. The teachers want to know whether you can sustain your child in the school through prompt payments of school fees.
Therefore, a parent must be convinced enough about their employment status and financial capability. Proof of employment status could come in handy.
4. Does your child have any special needs?
Teachers should know your child’s unique needs, if any, to render the attention and care that your child may need. Teachers will be the immediate caregivers for your child, so they must be briefed about any existing special needs of a child.
For instance, if a child has a chronic illness, as a parent, provide the teachers with all the medical information and medicine to cater for the child whenever the need arises. Withholding such details from the teachers may harm both you and your child.
5. Tell us more about you?
Here comes a chance to showcase to the teachers your likely input to your child’s education. For instance, you could talk about your academic qualifications and how your educational background could help your child’s education. You could also add that you will help your child in doing assignments.
When asked to tell more about yourself, do not bring up irrelevant information about yourself, such as your fitness training.
6. How is your family setup?
Are you a single parent? How many members are in your family?
These are some of the questions that will enable a teacher’s understanding of your child in the future. It is worth noting that family background has a tremendous impact on a child’s behaviour. Therefore, it is essential to help a teacher understand your child better.
It is vital that, as a parent, you provide the teacher with precise details.
7. Anything we should know about your child?
Here, you could talk more about your child’s character. Tell the teachers about your child’s likes and dislikes. If your child has a talent or a passion for doing something, let the teachers know. Is your child an introvert? Are they shy? Let the interviewer know.
Create a clear picture of who your child is for the teachers. Having a clear picture of a learner’s attributes puts the teacher in a better position to instruct and guide.
8. Do you discipline your child, and how?
Children often make mistakes, and it is the duty of both the parents and the teachers to correct and discipline them. Therefore, you must let the teachers know the disciplinary actions you take when your child makes a mistake.
Now, depending on your reaction and response to this question, a teacher can gauge and decide on the disciplinary measures to take in case your child is in the wrong.
9. Is your child toilet trained?
The question about toilet training is a common question, especially when enrolling your child in preschool. A parent should make sure by the time a child is of the right age to join the school; they are potty trained. A teacher will be your child’s immediate caregiver. Therefore, it is essential to prepare them on what to expect from the child.
10. What are your child’s eating habits?
For schools that provide daytime meals to their learners, information about a child’s eating habits is vital. It is important to state whether your child is allergic to certain foods to help teachers develop a suitable solution.
In answering questions, as a parent, you should:
● Be as honest as possible
You may feel the urge to spice up some details or even lie in answering some questions. But resist that urge and answer questions as they are. In the long run, a teacher wants to know the best way to help your child, so you must give them an accurate starting point.
● Be brief
It will help if you are brief and straight to the point. Avoid giving too much unnecessary information to make a point. Answer questions directly without beating around the bush.
● Be calm and composed
Sometimes a teacher may ask a question that you deem silly or obvious. However, it would help if you answer every question without any prejudices or arrogance.
● Avoid sensitive topics
While answering your questions, avoid controversial topics, such as religion or other beliefs, to prove a point.
● Be positive
Focus more on the positive attributes of your child. It is necessary that you emphasise your child’s strengths and not the weaknesses.
● Listen to the interviewer
Always listen to the interviewer without interruption. Speak only when the interviewer allows you to. In case you need to clarify something, then do so with respect.
● Avoid answering questions on behalf of your child
If the interviewer directs a question to your child, then allow them to answer without interruption. Answering a question on behalf of your child may send the wrong message to the interviewer.
To give your child a better chance to get admitted to the school of your choice, you must qualify for the parent-teacher interview. A simple way of passing the interview is by familiarising yourself with the frequently asked questions. Your responses can lead the interviewer/ teacher to form an impression about your child. Therefore, try to respond honestly and humbly to every question asked during the interview.
