Education Minister Evarist Bartolo has appealed for greater parental involvement in school councils, saying he was not satisfied with the current level and quality of parents’ participation in their children’s education.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference aimed at encouraging parents to take part in the school council elections on January 23, Mr Bartolo explained that participation was crucial for children, teachers and heads of school.

“It’s good that parents involve themselves in fundraising and additional voluntary work but, ultimately, parental involvement should also focus on the educational experience.”

Parents on school councils are being encouraged to provide their input regarding the curriculum and the way it is being taught and implemented, as well as to take care of a portion of the school funds, which can be allocated for repairs, buying new books and improving the physical environment.

“There is still an element of resistance from certain teachers and heads, who tend to look at parental involvement as unnecessary interference,” he said.

“But this mentality needs to change. Research demonstrates that 70 per cent of the behaviour of children is influenced by outside-school factors while 30 per cent are influenced by factors within the school. So even if a school operates smoothly, children are still influenced by their families, society and the community.

“Therefore, this 70 per cent should collaborate closely with the remaining 30 per cent.”

The ministry is currently working on an education law to increase the quality of parental participation. Mr Bartolo added that he very much believed in the Indian proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. “We need to get that village to work together.”

Nominations for school council members will be open from today until January 15. Nomination forms are available from schools and will also be accepted online on www.education.gov.mt. Parents or guardians of children in State schools will be provided with a voting document by January 19, with voting closing on January 23.

Parents can either vote at the school or send their vote with their child in a sealed envelope.

School councils generally meet once a month and comprise a president nominated by the -­­­Minister for Education, a secretary who is the head of school, three representatives elected by and from the teaching staff and three representatives elected by and from the parents. In 2013, eight schools did not elect parents to the school councils while three schools did not receive any nominations to form the council.

The Maltese Association of Parents of State School Students, a new NGO which aims to give a voice to parents, will also be holding its first election on January 23 and will elect a representative from each of the 10 colleges.

For more information visit www.mapsss.org.