KUALA LUMPUR: Schools say Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) are vital to ensuring the wellbeing of students and schools.
They said although strong PTAs could sometimes affect school affairs due to parental intervention, they can also be a positive driving force for schools.
Schools with active and involved PTAs can help teachers carry out their work more efficiently.
PTA secretary of Tunku Kurshiah College in Negri Sembilan, teacher Farah Hani, 28, said parents' involvement in the school made implementing programmes easier as they provided the support that students and the school needed.
"PTAs provide moral and financial support, skills and expertise and connections that make programmes easier to organise. They also improve the performance of students and strengthen bonds. We trust our Sarana (parent representatives from each form)."
Headmistress of SMK Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen in Perlis, Noorihal Muhammad, said parents get involved when needed and as requested by the school.
"We would invite parents to teach extra classes for students, especially parents who are also educators."
Ensuring a good relationship between parents and teachers is vital, with effective communication key to establishing trust and respect.
Farah said Tunku Kurshiah College established trust by ensuring there was an effective communication channel.
"We ask parents to channel complaints to the Sarana of each form. The Sarana will then pass the matter to the PTA chairman and lastly, to the headmistress.
"We also invite parents to attend school events. Many also volunteer to attend."
Noorihal said trust and respect would come when there was open communication in ensuring students' wellbeing and managing their affairs.
"We hold committee meetings from time to time and also have discussions online through Google Meet, WhatsApp and Telegram group chats."
She said financial resources, like sponsorships, from PTAs had helped improve the school's facilities.
"Some parents donated standing fans for the students' comfort.
"Some parents come to the school after office hours or even on weekends to help with preparations, like decorating the hall or cooking food for camps or workshops in the school or outside."
A headmistress of a school in Seremban, who declined to give her name, said some schools faced difficulties when PTAs intervened in school affairs.
"Parents may get too involved in school affairs. Our school has no issues with the PTA as it has helped our school in many ways.
"When a school is short of money, PTA assistance is needed. For example, money for SPM workshops. So we would depend on them."
She believed that teachers and parents must respect the rules set by the school and the PTA.
"The PTA and the school need to uphold the principles to ensure mutual respect between teachers and parents."
She hoped teachers and parents would foster better trust and respect in each other's roles and responsibilities.