Letter of the Day | Link PATH benefits to parents’ attending PTA

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As a guidance counsellor, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of parental involvement in a child’s education. I have also seen a troubling trend: the number of parents attending Parent-Teacher Association meetings (PTAs) has steadily declined. Less than 20 per cent of the parents participate in these crucial events. This decline is alarming, especially considering the significant role that parental engagement plays in a child’s academic success and overall development.

When parents engage with their children’s schooling – by attending PTAs, participating in school activities, and maintaining open lines of communication with teachers – students perform better academically, exhibit improved behaviour, and develop a stronger sense of self-worth.

Most children exhibiting behavioural issues are those who lack consistent parental supervision and engagement. These children often come from homes where parents are uninvolved in their education or lack the necessary parenting skills to provide appropriate guidance and support. Studies have shown that children with limited parental involvement are more likely to face behavioural challenges. Students with parents who are actively involved in their education tend to exhibit better behaviour and social skills than those with less engaged parents.

We can’t overemphasise the critical role that parents play in shaping their children’s behaviour and academic outcomes. When parents are disengaged or lack effective parenting strategies, children are more likely to struggle with issues such as aggression, defiance, and academic underachievement. This not only affects the individual child’s development, but also disrupts the learning environment for their peers.

The decline in PTA attendance is particularly alarming, given that nearly half of the student population in some schools benefit from the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). However, for PATH to be effective, it must be complemented by active parental involvement and accountability.

The Government should introduce measures to ensure that parents who benefit from PATH are actively participating in their children’s education. One effective approach could be to link the receipt of PATH benefits to the attendance at PTAs.

By tying PATH benefits to parental involvement, we can create a more holistic support system for our students. Parents would be encouraged to engage more actively with their children’s education, attending PTAs and participating in school-related activities. This approach would not only support the educational development of our students, but also strengthen our communities. The Government should consider this proposal seriously and take the necessary steps to implement it.

TANYA FLETCHER–LEWIS

Guidance Counsellor

Horace Clarke High School