Objective of the Policy Document
This document aims to outline the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) policy for The Next Generation School (TNG). It defines the purpose, objectives, selection process, organizational structure, functions, and roles and responsibilities of stakeholders while fostering a collaborative learning environment.
The Parent - Teacher Association
The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is a formal organization
that plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between parents, teachers, and
the school management, comprising parents, teachers, and the school team,
established to promote parental participation in school activities. At TNG, the
PTA is considered an essential association with its primary purpose to
foster collaboration in creating a bridge between parents and the school, for
achieving the school’s mission and vision.
Key Objectives of the PTA
• To provide a platform for parents to facilitate communication and collaboration.
• Discuss concerns, suggestions, and ideas to improve the school environment.
• Supporting Student holistic development by collaborating with the school in Organizing extracurricular activities, events, community service, character-building initiatives, and workshops to enrich the student experience.
• Providing Feedback and Suggestions to the school by gathering feedback from parents on school processes, policies, and facilities, and acting as a collective voice for the parent.
• Collaborate with the school to address areas for improvement and implement constructive changes.
• Advocating for students' well-being by promoting initiatives that address mental health, bullying prevention, and safety.
• Disseminate information to parents about school plans and strategies and Parent Association events.
• Welcome new families into The Next Generation School community.
• Provide educational enrichment for students through guest speaker sessions and community engagement programs.
• To gather the creative ideas and comments of the parents and guardians and present them to the school management.
• The responsibility of academics shall remain within the jurisdiction of the TNG school management.
PTA Organization Structure
In addition,
school officials such as the school leadership team, the Campus Head and the Deputy
Head may facilitate or participate in PTA meetings.
PTA Roles & Responsibilities
1. PTA President
The PTA President provides leadership to
the PTA, ensuring that its initiatives align with the school’s mission and
vision and that the partnership between parents and the school is effectively
nurtured.
Responsibilities:
- Leadership and Strategy: Develops PTA goals, assigns responsibilities to members,
and chairs PTA meetings to ensure activities align with the school’s
objectives.
- Communication and Advocacy: Acts as the liaison between the PTA
and the school and suggests the best ways for the well-being of students
in all areas.
- Progress Monitoring: Monitors PTA activities and ensures they align with the
school’s mission and vision.
2. PTA Vice President
The PTA Vice President supports the
President in executing initiatives and ensuring the continuity of PTA
activities in the President's absence.
Responsibilities:
- Support and Delegation: Assists the President in implementing PTA initiatives and
chairs meetings in the President’s absence.
- Collaboration and Feedback: Works closely with the President to
address feedback from parents and school staff.
3. PTA Secretary General
The
PTA Secretary manages PTA communications and documentation, ensuring
transparency and alignment with school goals.
Responsibilities:
- Documentation and Records: Prepares meeting agendas, and minutes,
and ensures PTA records are organized and accessible.
- Communication:
Ensures consistent communication and follow-up with PTA members and the
wider school community.
4. Class Representative
The
Class Representative serves as a point of contact between parents, teachers,
and the PTA, ensuring that parents are well-informed and actively involved
related to a specific class.
Responsibilities:
- Parent Liaison:
Act as liaisons for their classes and keep parents informed about school
events, encourage involvement in PTA and school activities, and other
relevant updates, and gather feedback.
- Event Coordination:
Works with teachers to organize class-specific events and encourages
parent involvement.
- Community Building:
Promotes a welcoming and inclusive school atmosphere and gathers feedback
from parents.
Personal Qualities and Attributes of PTA Position Holders:
- Strong leadership and
decision-making skills.
- Strategic thinking
- Proactive attitude and
problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to inspire and motivate
others toward shared goals.
- Strong organizational and
time-management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to
build professional relationships with parents, teachers, and PTA members.
- Excellent written and verbal
communication skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Team-oriented approach.
PTA Inception Calendar
S. No |
Activity |
Date/ Timeline (Timelines may be adjusted
to align with the academic calendar.) |
Details |
1. |
Announcement for the PTA nomination |
Week 1 of the opening of the school. |
Inform the school community about PTA roles,
nomination criteria, and the process. |
2. |
Nomination Period |
Week 2 (Day 1 to 5) |
Accept nominations for PTA positions. Provide
nomination forms and clear submission guidelines. |
3. |
Campaigning Period |
Week 3 (Day 1 to Day 5) |
Nominees campaign to present their vision and plans
for their roles. |
4. |
Voting |
Week 3, Day 5 |
If there is more than one candidate for a position,
the school arranges to conduct voting through an online platform or in-person
ballot. |
5. |
Announcement of PTA |
Week 4, Day 2 |
Announce election results and introduce the PTA
members to the school community. |
6. |
First PTA meeting of the academic session |
Week 4, Day 4 or 5 |
Conduct the first meeting to discuss plans, set
goals, and outline the agenda for the year. |
Code of Conduct For PTA Members
To ensure a
productive and inclusive environment, all PTA members must adhere to the
following principles:
- Promote Positive Engagement: Foster a respectful, welcoming atmosphere for all stakeholders, including staff, parents, and students.
- Respect for All Stakeholders: Treat all members of the school community—staff, students, parents, and other PTA members—with respect, valuing diverse perspectives and contributions.
- Act Transparently: Communicate openly and keep all members informed about PTA decisions, activities, and finances.
- Uphold Confidentiality: PTA members are expected to respect the privacy of students, staff, and parents, ensuring that all sensitive information is handled responsibly. The school explicitly does not share the parents' personal contact information with the PTA under any circumstances. Additionally, any external WhatsApp groups or platforms formed by parents are done independently and not associated with or governed by the school. These groups operate outside the school’s official communication framework, ensuring the confidentiality and trust of all stakeholders.
- Stay Committed: Attend meetings regularly, engage actively in PTA activities, and fulfill assigned responsibilities.
- Encourage Inclusivity: Ensure all voices are heard and encourage equitable participation.
- Demonstrate Integrity: Uphold the school’s values with honesty, responsibility, and respect in all PTA activities.
- Focus on Students’ Best Interests: Prioritize initiatives that positively impact students' learning, growth, and well-being.
Note: To ensure active and effective participation in PTA activities, the following policy applies:
- Each PTA member may hold only one role within the PTA during an academic session.
- If a member has children enrolled in multiple campuses of TNG School, they may only opt for a PTA role in one campus of their choice. This is to prevent divided focus and ensure meaningful contributions.
Election Process of PTA Members
The election process ensures fairness,
transparency, and alignment with the school’s mission:
- Nomination Period:
Parents are invited to nominate candidates, who submit a statement
outlining how they will contribute to the PTA and school goals.
- Eligibility Criteria:
Nominees must be parents of current students and committed to attending
meetings and engaging in PTA activities.
- Campaigning Period: Candidates introduce themselves and share their vision for the PTA.
- Campaigning Process for PTA Elections: To ensure transparency and allow parents to make informed choices, the PTA election process includes a campaigning phase. The following guidelines outline how campaigning will take place:
- After nominations
are received, candidates will be given the opportunity to introduce
themselves and their vision for the PTA.
- Candidates will provide a brief written statement, through a virtual platform, explaining how they plan to contribute to the PTA’s goals and support the school’s mission.
- Campaign materials, including candidate statements, will be shared through official communication channels such as school email, the and/or PTA WhatsApp groups, depending on the campus head’s communication preferences.
- Campaigns should focus on promoting the values and objectives of the school and PTA.
- Parents are encouraged to ask questions and discuss the candidates' ideas to ensure clarity on their goals and commitment to the PTA’s work.
- All campaigning must adhere to the principles of respect and fairness.
- Candidates are expected to present their ideas positively, without criticizing other candidates or PTA members.
- This process will ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to share their vision while promoting a fair and transparent election process for the PTA leadership roles.
- Voting: Voting occurs
via a secure platform, allowing each family one vote per position.
- Announcement: Election results are announced, and the newly elected members are reminded of their roles in supporting the school’s mission.
- Orientation Session: After the announcement of PTA members, an orientation session will be conducted to familiarize them with one another and to apprise them of their roles and responsibilities.
Volunteer Pool
PTA Meetings & Communication
• Monthly meetings will be scheduled at the school campus in alignment with the school’s academic calendar.
• All members must ensure attendance at PTA meetings.
• Ensure agendas are shared a week in advance, and minutes are documented within three days post-meeting.
• A quorum of the PTA members shall be observed for the meeting.
• The meeting minutes will be shared with the Campus Head for their review and records.
• Email and a parent portal are primary communication methods, along with WhatsApp for urgent updates.
• An appointment can be booked at the front desk to meet the Campus Heads.
Process in case of Revocation or Resignation From PTA Post
- Change in Student Enrollment: If a member’s child withdraws from TNG School or moves to another campus, the member is required to relinquish their PTA role.
- Personal Reasons: Members may voluntarily step down due to personal commitments or circumstances preventing them from fulfilling their responsibilities.
- Non-Participation: Failure to attend three consecutive PTA meetings without valid reasons or prior notice may result in revocation of the member's position.
- Non-Compliance with Code of Conduct: Any breach of the PTA’s Code of Conduct, including lack of respect for stakeholders, non-transparent behaviour, or failure to prioritize students' best interests, may lead to removal from the role.
- Inability to Fulfill Duties: Consistent failure to perform assigned responsibilities or contribute effectively to PTA activities.
- Conflict of Interest: Engaging in activities or behaviours that conflict with the school’s mission, vision, or policies.
- Misuse of Authority: Using the position for personal gain, undue influence, or actions contrary to the PTA’s objectives.
- School or Parent Community Feedback: If significant concerns are raised by the school management or parent community about the member’s performance or conduct.
- The school management or PTA leadership (President, Vice President, or Secretary) will provide written notification to the member, outlining the reasons for their potential removal.
- The members can respond or clarify their position within a specified timeframe.
- After considering the member’s response, a final decision will be made by the school management or PTA leadership, which will be communicated formally to the member.
- Mid-Year Replacement: If a member vacates their position mid-year, a new member may be elected or nominated to fill the role, following the standard selection or election process.
- Temporary Assignment: Until a replacement is finalized, an existing PTA Vice President will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the vacant position.
Conflict Resolution
To ensure smooth functioning, a structured conflict resolution process will be established to address any disputes or disagreements among PTA team members or between the PTA and the school. The steps are as follows:
- Open Communication: Members are encouraged to resolve conflicts through open and respectful dialogue.
- Mediation by PTA President: If a resolution cannot be reached, the PTA President will mediate to facilitate a mutual understanding and agreement.
- Escalation to Campus Leadership: Should the issue remain unresolved; it will be escalated to the Campus Head for further intervention and guidance.
- Final Review by School Leadership: In case of persistent disagreements, the matter will be referred to the school’s senior leadership team for a final decision.
This process ensures that conflicts are addressed constructively, fostering collaboration and maintaining the PTA's focus on enhancing the learning environment for all students.
Evaluation & Reporting
Annual Review: The Campus Leadership will conduct an annual review process for evaluating PTA effectiveness through stakeholder surveys that will be conducted by the end of the Academic Session.
Year-End Report: The President will share a year-end report summarizing PTA achievements and goals for the Academic Year.
Role of the School in Supporting PTA
The
school supports the PTA to ensure alignment with the school’s mission and
vision:
Facilitating Communication: Provides platforms for PTA communication with parents.
Providing Guidance, Resources,
and Digital Collaboration Tools: The school provides regular feedback and strategic support to align
PTA initiatives with the school’s mission and goals. Providing meeting
spaces, educational materials, and administrative assistance. Establishing
a Microsoft Teams channel and a ClassDojo group for
efficient communication and collaboration.
Organizing Initial Setup: Appoint
teachers and staff to assist with PTA establishment and ongoing support.
Ensuring Strategic Alignment: Encourages PTA initiatives that align with the school’s academic and social goals.
Evaluating and Reflecting: At the end of each year, the school collaborates with the PTA to evaluate its impact and suggest adjustments for the future.
Conclusion
This
policy will be monitored and reviewed through regular feedback from PTA
members, teachers, and parents, including surveys assessing the effectiveness
of PTA activities and their alignment with the school’s mission. Analysis of
participation levels, suggestions for improvement, and outcomes of PTA
initiatives will inform ongoing adjustments. The PTA President will provide
regular updates to the school administration and the management highlighting
achievements, challenges, and areas for development. Any issues identified
during the monitoring process will be addressed in the school’s strategic
planning to ensure the PTA continues to foster a collaborative and supportive
community.