A NATIONAL Parent-Teacher Association is to be launched in July, with a parents' conference, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has revealed.
Addressing educators, their families and well wishers at the Prime Minister's Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education on the lawns of Jamaica House Wednesday night, the Prime Minister urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children's educational development.
"If for reasons outside of the control of some parents, our students are deficient, whether in academics or behaviour, then we must help those parents," said the Prime Minister, adding that the conference would provide the right channel for meaningful interventions.
PARENTING SEMINARS
Mrs. Simpson Miller encouraged service clubs, non-governmental organisations and relevant government institutions to host parenting seminars to help those parents who are facing particular challenges.
At the ceremony, 31 veteran educators received the Prime Minister's Medal of Appreciation for significant contributions to the field of education. The awardees have all offered more than 15 years outstanding service to the sector and have been involved in community development.
Hailing the awardees for their dedicated service, Mrs. Simpson Miller said: "You have laboured with love, you represent that which must be emulated - the universal values of service, respect for work, integrity, loyalty, and patriotism. You are all educators par excellence".
