PTCA projects around the globe
Some may think of parent-teacher community associations (PTCAs) as meetings parents have to go to once a year to find out how their son or daughter is doing in school.
But there are many more things PTCAs can do, from fundraisers to boosting morale among teachers to encouraging community involvement in ways most can only imagine.
Community participation
A few years back, USAID introduced the concept of PTCAs in Djibouti, Africa. Back then, the main concern of the Ministry of Education was that parents might want to take over their responsibilities in managing schools.
But in 2005, USAID fully supported what PTCAs can do for schools. They began training and giving technical assistance to the thriving PTCAs, as well as drafted a decree that could cement their role in the legal system.
This decree formalized the partnership between parents and schools at all levels. It developed avenues for teachers, parents, school administrators and students to decide on activities based on the needs and wants of the school and students. This involves issues related to attendance, school hygiene, security, child safety and monitoring of school equipment.
Now, pressing projects can get plans of action, a budget and working groups so the task is actually completed.
Now, responsibility is placed also in the hands of the parents. Whenever a problem arises in school, parents are assured they have a role in finding the solution.
Many parents in Djibouti are skilled in farming, fishing, cooking, couture, electrical engineering, among others. PTCAs have helped in mining these skills into tangible projects for the schools such as garden projects, library projects and latrine and water projects.
Volunteerism
While volunteers are hard to come by what with everyone’s busy schedules, it helps to give a volunteer form to all parents at the beginning of the year. In the form, they can indicate whether they can most likely help during the day, the evening or from home. This way, parents can still help whatever their schedules are like.
Home volunteers for example are useful when making phone calls before fundraiser pickup or prepare newsletters for mailing. These are helpful tasks that parents from home can still do.
Other activities include:
Room Parent Training
Year-Round Volunteer Appreciation
Dads Volunteer Day
Volunteer Survey
Phonathon Outreach
Buddy Family Program
Organizing a Fun Run
Come Vote, and Bring the Family
Organizing an Author Visit
Big Trucks Raise PTO Bucks
House Tour Raises Big Cash
Some resources are:
6 Tips for Volunteer Coordinators
Committee Volunteer Recruitment
Figuring Finances for Events
School Spirit in the Spotlight
School Performers: Preparing an Orientation Packet
Create a School Tradition
Reading Challenge Achieves Results
Sources:
“Parent-Teacher Associations Gain Legal Status in Djibouti and Formalize their Role in Managing Schools.” Retrieved December 9, 2009 from
http://eastafrica.usaid.gov/en/Article.1269.aspx
“Volunteer projects.” Retrieved December 9, 2009 from
http://www.ptotoday.com/ideabag/topic/242-volunteers-and-involvement?position=popular
(Published 25 January 2010, Smart Communications Inc.)
