This article argues that a child's behaviour is influenced mainly by its family background and as such the
parent should take full responsibility and accountability for the child's behaviour at school. The proposition to
involve and make the parent more accountable should be legislated so that the courts should take action against
parents who fail to do so. This argument is made following general concerns that parents are unduly relinquishing their
pastoral roles to schools, thus making schools 'dumping grounds' for problem children. Proposals on how parental full
participation in students' behaviour can be achieved end the paper.