The important role of parent associations

Our education system will benefit from the active involvement of parents in schools

The high-profile windfall of St Francis high school in Silicon Valley highlighted the role parents can play in schools. St Francis has made at least $24m (Dh88m) in profit from a $15,000 investment in Snapchat after a parent convinced the private school to buy into the company when he noticed the popularity of the social media platform.

The school’s investment delivered about 2.1m Snapchat shares, of which two-thirds were sold for $17 each, as part of the company’s public float in New York. The rising price of Snapchat’s shares mean the school’s remaining shares are worth a further $18.5m (Dh 67.9m). This revenue, according to the school, would be used to fund the school’s strategic plans, including expanding financial aid for poorer students.

The story provides inspiration for schools around the world, and especially in the UAE, where parent associations could play a broader role in the direction of schools. A parents association should not just be a conduit for communication between parents and teachers. It can provide the structure in which parents can actively engage with the principal, staff and management board of a school in effective partnership.

Such an organisation can advise the principal and board of management on policy issues and incidents that may require a review of school policy, such as safety, bullying, homework and tests, behavioural problems and enrollment. It can also suggest or organise extra-curricular activities for the students, arrange events and invite speakers to address parents, teachers and students on relevant issues.

Or, as in the case of St Francis, parents associations can also participate in generating more funds for schools if given the opportunity – in compliance with local rules – and after consulting with the school board. These funds could be used to support the association, widen scholarship programmes and boost the overall development of the school.

But for parents associations to operate effectively, there needs to be mechanisms in place whereby parents feel welcomed and encouraged to be involved. Research shows that the involvement of parents in schools helps pupils achieve higher levels. This is an important component in the advancement of our education system. After all, both parents and teachers are deeply invested in the education of the pupils, so they should have the mechanisms to succeed.