The Role Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) Play to Improve Primary Schools in Nigeria
The foundation of learning for kids starts from primary education. Nigerian primary schools face three major challenges which are lack of funds, lack of facilities and weak support for teachers. Public primary education can do better with direct involvement of parents and teachers. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) plays a big role in this process.
PTAs are bodies that bring parents and teachers together with sometimes community members to improve institutions. The PTA works to develop better educational environment for kids through institutions need assessment and providing support to students alongside their teachers. Better discipline and academic performance and school development happens when parent and teacher work together.
The school authority benefits from PTAs which act as a bridge between the school and the parent community. The organization resolves and delivers important issues that come from board members and parents.
Through their activities PTAs exercise powers beyond fundraising because they develop policy at the school while improving learning spaces and promoting stakeholder collaboration. The collective work of PTAs brings about a good educational system where all learners can participate.
This article looks at what the Role of Parent-Teacher Associations really are when it comes to the improvement of primary schools in Nigeria.
The Role Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) Play to Improve Primary Schools in Nigeria
1. Financial Support
Many primary schools in Nigeria are underfunded by the government. The funds raised through PTA activities are used to buy basic materials that include educational supplies, school uniforms, books and chairs and educational resources. Some PTAs fund the construction of new classrooms and new toilet facilities to improve school infrastructure. The huge school development is as a result of PTA fundraising which combines levies with donations and organizing events.
PTA provides financial support to students whose parents fall under low income category. The use of scholarships or paying of school fees by PTA makes all children have access to education without considering their background. This school based intervention stops students from leaving school thus encouraging their continuous attendance.
2. Teacher Welfare
Public primary school teachers face delayed payment and insufficient learning materials and unimproved working environment in their schools. The financial support and educational resources and welfare assistance that PTA provides helps to address teacher issues. When schools receives support from PTA, teachers are motivated to perform better in their jobs.
PTA organizations have programs that offer health insurance and transport allowance to their teaching members. Improving of staff rooms and provision of essential teaching materials is what some PTAs are doing in their schools. The attention PTA gives to teacher welfare helps teachers to be in good mind to give their best to their students.
3. Improving Student Performance
Student’s performance improves when parents are engaged in their educational journey. Through their activities PTA helps parents develop study monitoring habits and school meeting attendance and homework support practices. The connection between teachers and parents enables students to receive direction and motivation.
Through their activities PTA establishes learning support sessions and paired tutoring for students who need academic support. These school programs make additional educational support available to students to help them get higher grades and thorough understanding of their subjects.
4. Promoting Discipline and Good Behaviour
A smooth school environment exists when students obey the rules and respect their teachers. School authority benefits from the support of PTA who help in establishing disciplinary policies. Through collaborative effort with teachers they develop student code of conduct and find solutions to bullying incidents and late and absent student behaviours.
Some PTAs create incentive programs to boost discipline in students. When PTA recognizes students who are respectful and disciplined, it creates an environment where students want to improve their behaviour.
5. Community Involvement
A school gains many benefits when it involves its surrounding community in its development. PTAs link the institution to its community by organizing activities and partnership outreach that gets businesses to support educational programs. School becomes more connected to its community because of this mutual involvement.
Local organizations partner with PTAs to implement school feeding programs and health screenings and mentorship activities. What does this partnership bring in? It brings in resources that is needed by the students to succeed while in school and after in life.
6. Outside Class Activities
Education is beyond the classroom experience, there is so much a child can learn beyond the classroom. PTAs run educational activities such as sports and cultural programs and career talks. Student life becomes more exciting because of these activities and students can discover themselves and what they are passionate about.
Through their staging of spelling bees and science fairs and debate competitions PTAs give students a platform to showcase their talents. The activities build confidence in students before they move on to their educational and professional life.
Challenges Faced by PTAs
Despite their benefits, PTAs in Nigeria have challenges. Some of these are:
- Some parents don’t attend PTA meetings and don’t donate to the association.
- Most PTAs find it difficult to get funds for their school projects.
- There are many disagreements between PTA and school management which leads to lack of cooperation between them.
- Parents don’t understand PTA functions which makes them inactive in PTA activities.
- Some PTA funds are mismanaged which leads to lack of trust from both parents and teachers.
Strategic Ways Needed to Strengthen PTAs in Nigeria
To make PTAs more effective:
- Schools should teach parents about PTA value and motivate them to join the association.
- PTAs should have different options for parents to support the school financially.
- PTAs and school authorities should collaborate to prevent conflicts.
- Public institutions should promote PTA events by providing necessary assistance as needed.
- Schools should commend parents and teachers who are active in PTA programs.
- PTAs should have financial policies to promote trust and accountability.
- Some PTA workshop provide students with practical skills that will be useful when they become adults.
Conclusion
PTAs are key to improving Nigerian primary education. School grows far with the financial backing and discipline and teacher motivation provided by Parent-Teacher Associations. Strengthening PTAs has challenges but better learning condition for children is possible when the association is stronger.
Parents working with teachers will make Nigeria educational future shine. Active parental involvement in PTA must increase because it guarantees quality education for every child. PTAs support sustainable success in primary education of Nigeria through collaborative and transparent implementation of their sustainable projects.
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