PTA Week starts today

November 2-8 has been designated the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Week as the organisation celebrates its 43rd anniversary. Originally called the Trinidad and Tobago Council of the Parent Teacher Associations on September 24, 1960, the name was changed to the Trinidad and Tobago National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NPTA) on the eve of the nation’s elevation to Independent status in 1962.

An act for the incorporation of the NPTA was assented to on May 19, 1976 referred to as Act No 18 of 1976 and listed some of the aims and objectives of the Association as follows:
* To promote the welfare of children and young persons at home, school,   church and in the community;
* To raise the standard of living at homes and in the community; and
* To develop between the educators, parents and the general public such united efforts which will secure for every child the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, cultural and spiritual education.
The PTA seeks to promote partnership in all schools that will enhance parental involvement and participation in the promotion of their spiritual, emotional, social and academic growth life of children and any young individual. The annual observance of the PTA week will commence today and will highlight the significant partnering role of the association needs to play as stakeholder in education. In a release surrounding the NPTA’s celebrations, it was stated that there is a need for more work in the education system with regards to parents who interface with administration and staff at schools, as the motives of the parents are sometimes suspicious, and they (parents) seek to bash the teachers. The NPTA is of the view that this problem can be solved by training parents in PTA policies and objectives, and by continuing to include them in all major decision making.