The Sun Speaks Up

The Sun Daily 7 April 2010
SPEAK UP! :: Letters
Give parents a bigger say

BY NOW, most annual general meetings (AGMs) of parent-teacher associations (PTAs) would have been conducted. For the schools where its teachers enjoy a good relationship with the parents, all well and good. For the schools that do not, it is time for some reflection if the school is to move forward.

Like all associations, members pay subscription. In the case of PTAs, for some strange reason, teachers are exempted from this subscription. In some schools, some teachers refuse to pay even though their children are in the school and yet both directly benefit from PTA funds.

Even more strangely, these teachers get to not only nominate parent committee members at the AGM but they also get away with the voting of these parents. As a result, teachers normally vote in parents who are docile and passive, a detrimental move, as parents who are an asset to schools, often encouraged by the Education Ministry, are not used.

As a result, if a parent is desperate to head the PTA then all he has to do is lobby the teachers. He does not even need to lobby the parents, a more daunting task. For this reason, parents shun AGMs as they feel it is a lost cause.

On the other hand, parents pay subscription yet they do not get to vote the teachers whom they want to sit on the committee. Normally, the principal pre-determines the names of the teachers sitting on the PTA committee. This list should be proposed and seconded at the AGM as provided for the PTA regulations but is normally not adhered to.

For a more equitable balance, if teachers do not want to be subjected to paying subscription, then they should abstain from voting. And parents must make it a point to attend and exercise their rights, if not for themselves, for their children. If enough parents attend, then just maybe, the role of the PTA will be made more effective.

Interestingly, while AGMs provide the platform for parent-teacher discussions on educational issues, this time, parents were prohibited from speaking about the controversial policy of the teaching and learning of science and maths in English. Not having any freedom of expression to do so renders the very existence of PTAs in schools futile.

The spirit of the Education Act 1996 provides for children to be educated according to the wishes of their parents. If parents cannot even speak, what is the point? The government has admitted that it does not know best, so who does, if not parents themselves.

Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim
Chairperson
Parent Action Group for Education

FOR OUR CHILDREN

PTA Gag Order

Muhyiddin’s arrogance over PTAs riles PAS
Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:20
www.freemalaysiatoday.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin got a rapping from PAS for barring Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in the country from discussing issues and policies relating to the national education system.

PAS central information chief Idris Ahmad said Muhyiddin’s myopic view was a clear indication that BN was not open to censure and gave a deaf ear to public view.

“PAs is shocked at his arrogance and narrow-mindedness. PTAs have a right to discuss education policies and issues. They have a right to offer their views on the system because it affects their children.

“PAS views PTAs as the best medium for parents and teachers to convey the views, especially that involving the education system,” he said.

Idris was responding to Muhyiddin’s statement in Parliament yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, reminded PTAs that their roles were limited to questions pertaining to the improvements in the schools they represent.

Said Idris: “He should be using the PTAs as a the ministry’s primary source of reference before introducing new systems because they have a right to know and better understand the needs of students and their children.”

According to him, open discussions of the education system at PTA meetings and conventions will encourage PTAs to become credible watchdogs of national policies and systems while not ignoring the domestic issues within their schools.

“If they are not given the space to speak, where will they offer their views because not all PTAs members are involved in NGOs or political parties. There is nothing wrong in using PTAs as a medium of expressing their views,” he said.

He said that Muhyiddin's response in Parliament showed up BN government’s arrogance.

Idris added that BN had habitually only entertained views that were in sync with theirs

“They don’t entertain views that are contradictory. They consider contradictory views and political views... but that is not right.

“Even when a politician discusses education... it remains an issue of education. It is not politics and does not need to be politicised. It is obvious that he (Muhyiddin) is the one politicising education, not the PTAs,” he said.

Following Muhyiddin’s misguided response, PAS has invited all PTAs to forward their views through their Pakatan Rakyat representatives if BN declines to accept their views.

He said PAS will ensure that the issues are raised in Parliament and in the Senate.

FOR OUR CHILDREN.