Parents can influence school curricula by joining school councils – Education Minister

Parents whose children attend state schools can influence their children’s curricula by applying to join the school council, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said.

“A misconception exists that school councils are simply there to organise fundraising activities, and some heads and teachers still view parental participation in school councils as an invasion into their running of the school,” Bartolo said. “However, research shows that the educational experience of children undoubtedly improves when their parents take an active role in their education.”

State school councils are composed of a president nominated by the Education Minister, the head of school, three elected representatives from the teaching staff, and three representatives from the parents and guardians whose children attend that school. 

“Non-school factors, such as family and community, are more than twice as likely to influence a child’s behaviour than school factors are. Schools must take this phenomenon into account and start allying with children’s families and communities for the sake of their education.” 

The minister added that he is working on an education law aimed at improving the quality of parental participation in school councils, a law that will be based on mutual respect between school and parents. In particular, he said that school councils should start meeting at times that reflect the modern condition of working parents.

School council application forms for parents will open tomorrow and will close on 15 January. Elections will take place on 23 January and the elected councils will serve until 31 December, 2016. Only one member from each family can apply as a candidate for the same school and each family is only allowed one vote. Parents can opt to vote either at their child’s school or by returning their vote to the school through an envelope by post or with their children.