Following the release of the code of conduct for parent associations in public elementary and senior high schools and the agitations raised by the National Council for PTAs, the Ghana Education Service has outlined the reasons why the government abolished PTAs in public schools at both the basic and secondary school levels.
Reasons why government abolished PTAs in public schools
According to the GES, in the recent past, there have been some developments within the operations of the PTAs that touted the government’s efforts to ensure universal access to education, especially at the senior high level.
It added that the developments that led to the decision were related to the imposition of levies by the PTAs, which prevent some students’ access to academic and school facilities as well as structures by virtue of some parents either refusing or being unable to contribute to the activities of the PTAs.
READ: EduWatch Asked GES to Regulate SHS PTA to Save Free SHS policy
The management of GES furthered that some PTAs instituted outrageous levies, which sought to defeat the purpose for which the Free SHS policy was introduced.
This action by the PTAs affected the Free Compulsory Basic Education (FCUBE) policy at the school level since it caused some children to drop out of school as a result of the inability of their parents to pay such levies.
In response to these developments, the management of the Ghana Education Service suspended the activities of PTAs in schools and imposed levies in all schools.
It also directed the reorganisation of parent-teacher associations (PTAs) to parent-teacher associations (PAs). Taking teachers out of the association was to limit the involvement of management and staff of the schools in the activities of such an association within the confines of the school management system.
According to the GES, parent associations are recognised as a useful platform for parents and guardians to collaborate with the management of the various educational institutions for the primary purposes of supporting enhanced education and the growth of schools, all for the comfort of students.
READ: NCPTAs Council Rejects Parents Associations, Wants PTA Maintained
Membership in the PTA shall be limited to only parents or guidance whose children are in the school, the GES added.
The details revealed by the GES, while valid, failed to touch on the contributions of the association to school development before the prohibition of its activities in schools and the failure of the government to provide the basic logistics needed in schools on time and in the right quantities for school work to be done. These were some of the contributions of the PTA.
Do you think the reasons given by the GES as to why government abolished PTAs in public schools are valid?