The house parent phenomenon

T.P. Vasanth

With India’s cities becoming increasingly overcrowded and polluted by noise and carbon monoxide, a growing number of parents within India’s expanding middle class are re-examining the advantages of residential or boarding school education. Not only are contemporary boarding schools sited in pristine non-polluted environ-ments, they tend to be more child-friendly and comfortable than their traditional predecessors known for cold baths and corporal punishment.

Nevertheless even though most middle class parents are prepared to invest in quality education delivered in clean environments to their children, many tend to entertain doubts about the personal care and nurturance their children will receive in residential schools far removed from home. Such understandably anxious parents need to become acquainted with the phenomenon of house parents — a vital position in every self-respecting boarding school.

The modern day house parent is a worthy successor to an old English tradition — the housemaster. In Britain’s great public schools such as Eton, Harrow and Rugby, the housemaster played a pivotal role in the emotional, spiritual, educational and physical development of some of Britain’s greatest leaders — Sir Cecil Rhodes, after whom Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) was named; Sir Winston Churchill, Field Marshall Slim, Sir Arthur Wellesley (the first Duke of Wellington), David Livingston, legendary explorer and naturalist who discovered the source of the Nile, and Lord Baden Powell, founder of the scouts movement. What are the sterling qualities possessed by house-masters whose tutelage produced such great men?

First, the house parent is the embodiment of character. He is the true practitioner of the ‘straight bat’, justice and fair play with an intimate knowledge of the character, traits, attributes and attitude of each of his wards. This is acquired only after intense and impartial study of every student rather than hastily drawn opinions.

Secondly, the house parent believes in his/her wards, in their potential and believes that he can harness this potential and convert it into performance. The experienced house parent is an impartial person who treats all children alike, gives praise when its due and metes out corrective advice without delay.

Thirdly, the house parent of a great public school fosters an academic culture. This requires him to keep abreast of the academic performance of his wards, categorise them and work on their strengths and weaknesses.

In student life, timing is everything. An interesting, meaningful and fun-filled student life is based on a carefully planned schedule. The house parent is well aware there’s a time for studies, a time for sports, a time to develop one’s personality and to have fun. Timing is the all important ‘rhythm’ of student life; it is also the basis of self discipline and leadership. To ensure everything is done at the appropriate time is the prime responsibility of the house parent.

In addition, the house parent is responsible for the students’ performance as he/she is the parent in absentia. Therefore, the house parent must, after a detailed assessment, establish a system of routines and vigorously enforce their implementation. He/she is required not just to be physically present during the games period and study hour but also to be mentally and emotionally involved. This requires continuous personal involvement, and demonstrated reiteration. This is the key to success.

In short the house parent is a reflection of the personality of the school. Her oral and written communication to wards and parents must be clear, precise and reflective of the ethos of the institution. Indeed, throughout her communication, she must display a positive mental attitude and desist from complaints and gripes about students, and never at any cost run down a student, colleague or the institution. It is an indication of bad leadership.

Another critical performance area in the duties of a house parent is co-ordination. In order to ensure proper pastoral care, the house parent needs to be a team player and harness the resources of his colleagues and relevant agencies. She needs to closely work with the bursar who is the custodian of the school’s property and the one-point contact for the house parent with regard to equipment and infrastructure development, service personnel and outsourced agencies like catering, horticulture, sports coaches, housekeeping, hairdressers, etc. The house parent must co-ordinate with the bursar to ensure smooth running of the hostel and campus. She must also work in close concert with the sports director and his faculty to plan and organise sports events, both within and outside the curriculum.

To conclude the house parent is the pivot around which the life of a boarder revolves. She is the fulcrum of trust upon which parents place their greatest asset — their child. Her character and personality become indelibly etched in the minds of students as she shapes their character, and guides their scholastic and extra-curricular performance.

Wellington’s famous quote, "The Battle of Waterloo was won in the playing fields of Eton" is a living testimonial to the competence, commitment and character of the time-honoured tradition of the housemaster. The modern day house parent has a lot to live up to.

(T.P. Vasanth is managing trustee of the Indus Trust which administers the Indus International School, Bangalore)