Factoring SMC, PTA in School System Essential – Eastern Regional Minister
At the 2nd National Catholic Education Forum in Koforidua, Ghana’s Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, emphasized the crucial role of the School Management Committee (SMC) and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in the nation’s education system.
Speaking at the forum’s opening on March 11, 2025, she highlighted that an effective education system requires collaboration among educators, students, and community members to create an inclusive learning environment. The event, organized by the National Catholic Secretariat, is themed Catholic Education for Integral Development, Shaping a Resilient and an Inclusive Ghana.
The SMC, a school-community-based institution, ensures community participation in education delivery, assisting headteachers in school governance. Meanwhile, the PTA, though not part of daily school administration, plays an advisory role, contributing to infrastructure, educational resources, student welfare, and discipline.
Hon. Awatey underscored education’s significance as a driver of economic growth and social transformation, especially in an era of digitalization. She reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing education through policy reviews, improving special needs education, and launching initiatives like the ‘Bright Beginnings Initiative’ to strengthen early childhood education.
She expressed hope that the forum’s discussions would influence national education policies and reforms, fostering holistic education that integrates academics, moral values, and civic responsibility. She called for innovative teaching approaches that prioritize critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving to prepare students for a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The minister lauded the Catholic Church’s proactive role in shaping education and urged stakeholders to use the forum as an opportunity to contribute to meaningful educational reforms.
Source: Newswatch.com
By Damian Avevor
