In a significant move to strengthen community ties and student progress tracking, the Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy has issued a directive making parent-teacher meetings (PTMs) compulsory every two months in all government schools. This decision comes on the heels of a highly successful statewide mega-PTM event held earlier.
From Quarterly to Bi-Monthly: A Push for Regular Engagement
The department's new circular marks a shift from the previous requirement of holding PTMs once every three months, a rule that often saw low compliance. The change was inspired by the overwhelming response to the statewide mega-PTM drive conducted on November 14. During that large-scale event, schools were tasked with ensuring strong parent turnout and providing comprehensive updates on student academic performance, school facilities, and various activities.
Encouraged by the positive outcome, the department has now made it mandatory for all primary and high schools under its purview to organise these meetings bi-monthly. Schools are also required to report attendance figures from these sessions, ensuring accountability.
Bridging the Communication Gap in the Digital Age
Rashmi Mahesh, Principal Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, emphasised the core objective behind this initiative. She stated that restoring the community's credibility and confidence in the public school system is paramount, and regular PTMs are a key strategy to achieve this.
She highlighted that these meetings will serve as a crucial bridge, addressing communication gaps between parents, teachers, and students. Mahesh pointed to a common concern raised during the mega-PTM: "Nowadays, parents tell us that children do not communicate as they used to in the pre-digital era, before the rise of social media." Regular PTMs are seen as a formal channel to counteract this trend.
Mixed Reactions: Parents Welcome, Teachers Cite Practical Hurdles
The decision has been welcomed by parents' associations. Sijo Sebastian, Secretary of the Voice of Parents' Association, called it a vital platform. He explained that regular PTMs allow for assessing a child's progress, exchanging feedback, and collaboratively identifying areas for improvement. This approach, he believes, benefits the child and encourages both parents and teachers to take their roles more seriously.
However, some government school teachers have expressed concerns about the feasibility of the new rule, especially for parents from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. A teacher from an east Bengaluru school noted a practical challenge: "Most parents are daily wage labourers. They may not be willing to lose a day's wages." The teacher added that if meetings become too frequent, parents might worry about their income, and convincing them to attend would require considerable effort in scheduling and persuasion.
It is also noted that unlike the special arrangements for the mega-PTM, the circular for bi-monthly meetings does not include provisions for providing lunch to attending parents and students.
This policy shift underscores the government's focus on improving the quality of public education through enhanced parental involvement. Its success will likely depend on flexible scheduling and sustained efforts to make all stakeholders, especially working parents, active participants in the educational process.
