When Parents Meet Teachers

SUBANG JAYA, April 6 (Bernama) -- Schools nationwide have reached their first quarter of 2010 and many have started to call for their respective Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) annual general meeting (AGM).

At these meetings, parents are given the opportunity to air their views and grievances apart from also voicing their concerns over issues that cropped out in their children's schools.

The AGM is certainly the right time to get ideas and support from he parents.

According to a parent who wished to be known as Usha, she attended the AGM as she wanted to know her daughter's school better.

"I got here early and have no regrets attending this healthy discussion. I met many other parents and I believe those who came along to be with the teachers and other parents on a weekend morning are seriously committed and willing to contribute for the school," Usha told Bernama while leaving the SMK USJ12 school hall with her newfound friends.

PTA AGM

Many schools including that in the Klang Valley held their PTA AGMs in March, before the first term school holiday.

Parents and teachers, undeniably, have a great role to play for the school-going children. They spend important time with this generation, imparting knowledge and care, which can easily influence children within this age group in determining their future.

However when placing high hopes on their children, parents inevitably pass the bulk of these responsibilities to the teachers.

PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARE EUALLY IMPORTANT

"I believe that teachers and parents are equally important in the pursuit of their children's excellence and wellbeing in education," said the father of three primary school going children, identified as Abu Haziman.

Abu Haziman sends all his children to a Chinese school near his house in Subang Jaya.

"I neither understand nor speak Mandarin, so when I attend the PTA AGM meetings, I have to accept that the meeting is conducted in Mandarin almost its length. However, when they passed out documents including the account statements on expenditure and income in figures, I am able to comprehend it," he said.

On the other hand, a mother of two, Amy Rosley, thinks the otherwise.

"I have not been attending these meetings of late.

I find there is too much talk and very little done after making the necessary suggestions.

It is frustrating after attending and placing your hopes too high for some changes," she said.

PARENTS' CONCERNS

Some parents refrain from making comments and suggestions, which may sometimes flare into unnecessary complaints and arguments. Parents are concerned that their children may get 'blacklisted' by the school because of their openness of both mind and expression.

Although these concerns turned up as mere 'false alarms', people naturally are susceptible to be offended when negative remarks are made against them.

The writer had attended the 9th PTA AGM session 2010/2011 at a secondary school held recently. Despite having a student population of 2,280, the turn up was not a full house from the parents attendance list.

There are more than 2,280 students, and only a small percentage of the parents attended the meeting.

The 2010 PTA AGM saw parents sending in their suggestions and motions for the improvement and betterment of the secondary school, way in advance.

Some of these parents had written to ask for extra classes to assist students sitting for the PMR and SPM exams, especially during the school holidays and Saturdays.

The teacher in charge of curriculum explained that such classes would only be held a month or two before the examination period and that these classes have been conducted regularly throughout the years to improve the weaker students.

"So far, the students are responding well to the school's system.

Teachers are parents too. We too have children.

We know the importance of education to these children.

"Parents are definitely concerned about their children's performance. We all want the best for the children", said an English teacher, fondly known as Lucille.

The PTA is certainly an important link that will make the relationship between the client and the school more interactive, proactive and most definitely pleasant, as well as long lasting.

This will benefit the students and children of Malaysia in the long run, especially when the bond between their parents and educators know no boundaries.

-- BERNAMA

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