One way in which parents can contribute to development is through their involvement in their children's academic life. We asked persons on the streets of the Corporate Area last week: Are PTAs still relevant?
Shanty Williams, 32, self-employed:
Yes, because it's a way to find out if your child is learning and has respect for authority. Oftentimes, your child comes home and complains about a teacher and when you go to the teacher, it's a different thing. So, it's a good way to find out about your child at school.
Joseph Richardson, 64, taxi operator:
Yes, to check up on your children to see how they are going on in school. Sometimes they go to school and sometimes they don't go, and it is important for you to know. So you must check up on your children and PTA is a good way to do so.
Stevan Sterling, 29, application developer:
One reason why children display unacceptable behaviour, such as violence and sex, is because parents are not playing an active role in what is happening. PTAs can help parents to see what the children are deficient in and (parents) can work with the teacher to improve their (children's) academic standard.
Yes, to give the parents a chance to interact with the teachers, so that they can get feedback on the child's performance.
Also, it gives the parents a chance to pass on ideas to improve current processes in the school. So, I think it is very important.
Tashi Thompson, 34, car-park attendant:
Yes, we need to know what is going on at the school and what the children are capable of doing. If parents don't go to PTA, then they don't know what the children are going on with in the school, because children do one thing at home and do something else at school. Also, it is a good way to know about the school's activities.
