Establishing a PTA (Parent Teacher Association) in a Pakistani school, especially a public one, is an excellent way of not only benefitting the institution's students. It's also a way to solve a number of serious problems.

"Ghost" schools, corruption, underfunding, dilapidated buildings, no drinking water, toilets or playgrounds: these are just some of the characteristics of government funded schools in Pakistan today. It is a shame that a system that once produced competent, literate graduates in now in a shambles.

Since the government seems to not be interested in furthering Pakistani schools (it's devoted less than three percent of the country's GDP for education) and many, many teachers have lost faith in the system or gotten involved in the corruption themselves, there is clearly a need for parents to take a stand and get involved in their children's education.

Instead of scrambling to find the funds to send their kids to private schools, Pakistani parents with children in public schools need to make an effort to improve the quality of education in these institutions. With parental involvement, not only will children be motivated to study, but teachers, principals and administrators will sense a greater accountability for their work. They are clearly lacking the drive to teach and administer well, given their very low salaries and the corruption of the Pakistani education system.

The PTA is a vehicle for parents to get more involved in their children's education. Through such an organization, parents can help raise funds for the school's needs like books, a better building, etc. They can help improve the curriculum. They can ensure a safer environment for their kids and much more.

From here in America, you can do your part in helping establish a PTA at a Pakistani public school. Here's how to do it:

1. Contact a relative or friend in Pakistan whose child or children attends public school. If they are like most parents, they are probably fed up with the low quality of education their kids are receiving. Propose your idea to them and get their feedback. Explain to them that this is one way to revive their child's public school. If parents truly care about their kids, emphasize that the only way they can guarantee their kids get a good education is if they hold the education authorities responsible by becoming directly involved.

If they support your idea, ask them to gather some like minded parents who also have children at the school to discuss this proposal. In addition, have your contact discuss this idea with the school principal, who can also find teachers supportive of the idea.

Your contact should emphasize the need for a PTA at the school: the possibility of better funding; improvement in the condition of the school; better material for teachers and students; higher student and teacher morale, etc.

While you can communicate via e-mail, fax or phone, it would be a very good idea to discuss this issue in person during a visit to Pakistan, with the key players who can put this idea into motion. Not only does this save time and money, it is also a better to pull all the necessary elements together to help this project take off.

2. Once you've got this core group of interested parents, teachers and administrators, send them literature about how to establish a PTA. You can find this at www.pta.org. If necessary, translate this information into Urdu or the local language so that everyone involved in the PTA can understand it. You can also orally translate the material, put it on audiocassette and send it off. When you mail it off, establish a deadline for the core group to read and discuss the idea.

3. Have the PTA hold its first meeting to discuss the main areas in which the school needs help. Are more classrooms needed? Or toilet facilities? Or a playground? Focus on one big project after the discussion, but keep the others in notes for future reference.

4. Help the group establish a plan and get to work and making this project a reality. If the PTA decides to establish a toilet system, then make the necessary committees to get the funds, plan the project, contact the developers, etc.

5. Make sure that regular meetings are held to discuss this project and other issues that are of concern to everyone. Have an agenda, minutes, etc. You can even participate by getting these documents and sending in your feedback and ideas before meetings.

6. Put your money where your mouth is by supporting the school's project with your own money. Also, try to raise funds here in the US for the school's project as well. When you ask for donations, try to have photos of the people involved, as well as a brief description of the school and an explanation of why the PTA has chosen to work on this specific project.

7.Follow up to see that the work is completed for this project. If one project is a success, this will have a domino effect. Parents, children, school administers and teachers will begin to feel hope that everyone can do something for the school and move on to the next project.

8. Keep up on the school's progress. Be in touch with parents, teachers and administrators. When possible, visit the school to see how the PTA can and has changed the lives of tomorrow's Pakistanis.

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/17/2002 3:48:51 PM

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