Talkback: Parents-Teachers Association - What does it actually do?

During the 2013 celebration of the blessed Aidiladha, some parents voiced their anger and concern over the ceremonial incident of cow slaughtering within school grounds. Non-muslim students who inadvertently witnessed the event were either traumatised or were in shock. But it was the parents that were even in more shock when they found out because they weren’t notified by the school beforehand.

This comes on the heels of Sekolah Sri Pristana’s makeshift canteen next to the school’s toilet in July 2013. And if you can remember back in 2010, there was the issue of a student not being allowed to bring non-halal food to school even if it was for his own consumption. The parents of these students claimed they were never informed of the school’s rules and regulations. But one can argue that schools act the way they see fit and in the best interest of their students.

So, how much do schools involve parents in decision-making and drawing up school rules? What is the role of PTAs?