Accra: A committee constituted by the Ghana Education Service to develop new guidelines for Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs) at the pre-tertiary level has presented its report to Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education. The report introduces three new guidelines designed to ensure effective participation and governance within the associations.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Kofi Asare, outlined the first guideline, which stipulates that only parents with children currently enrolled in the school can become members of the association. The second guideline clarifies the tenure of the PTA executives, allowing an executive member at the basic school level to serve two terms of two years each, while those at the secondary school level can serve only one term.
Mr. Asare highlighted the final guideline, which focuses on strengthening accountability mechanisms to prevent financial malfeasance within the PTAs. This move aligns with President John Dramani Mahama's directive from July 2025 to fully reinstate PTAs in schools nationwide, emphasizing the critical role of parental involvement in school governance.
Under the new guidelines, the association's financial accounts will be audited by the Auditor General to ensure responsible spending. Mr. Asare mentioned that the committee engaged with experts and civil society organizations to gather input for developing these guidelines. He noted that PTAs significantly contribute to enhancing learning outcomes by involving parents in school decision-making processes.
The Education Minister, Mr. Iddrisu, praised the committee for its diligent work in reintegrating PTAs into school management. He stated that the guidelines aim to foster a safe school environment and emphasized that socialization is a collective responsibility, particularly for young learners. The Minister expressed optimism that these guidelines will promote equity, accountability, and efficiency in the educational system.
