COLLABORATION AMONG PARENTS, TEACHERS

MARIA CECILIA T. SAPNU

A bill, which has been approved on the third and final reading by the House of Representatives, aims to harness collaboration among parents, teachers, school officials, and the communities, in ensuring that the welfare and rights of children are protected at all times.

House Bill (HB) 9670 institutionalizes and enhances the roles of Parent-Teacher and Community Associations (PTCA) in the holistic development of children.

This bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code. According to the bill's authors, promoting the welfare and protecting the rights of children is one of their utmost priorities in terms of legislation and we hope to achieve this through the passage of this bill.

Under the measure, every early child development center and basic education school is required to organize a PTCA, which shall serve as a forum for the discussion of problems and their solutions relating to the total school program, and for ensuring the full cooperation of parents in the implementation of such programs.

The PTCA shall be composed of parents, parent-substitutes, teachers, community development workers, and a duly recognized community group from various sectors. It also encourages fathers and male caregivers to participate in PTCA activities.

It will assist the provincial, city, municipal, and other local authorities and school officials in promoting the advocacy of and implementation of programs and activities that protect the rights and promote the welfare of children.

The PTCA is also tasked to create a development program for children; ensure the full cooperation of parents, parent-substitutes, teachers, and community stakeholders; consult the children, through their student councils, parents, parent-substitutes, and child organizations in the planning and implementation of programs, projects, and activities.

The PTCA will also serve as an avenue for stakeholders to design appropriate programs, discuss issues, and recommend actions; and support the implementation of child protection policies in schools and communities.

-oOoThe

III at Malusac National High School

author is Teacher