Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: The department of school education and literacy in Karnataka has announced plans to hold mega parent-teacher meetings across all 47,000 government schools on Children’s Day, November 14, in a bid to strengthen community involvement and boost student enrolment. According to a circular issued on November 4, the initiative aims to encourage parental participation in children’s education and build stronger engagement between schools, teachers, and local communities. Officials to join hands for large-scale initiative To ensure the success of the programme, the department has directed deputy commissioners, chief executive officers, and senior bureaucrats to participate in the event. “The role of parents is very important in the all-round development of children, and the main objective of this programme is to involve them in this process,” the circular stated. Officials at district, taluk, and field levels have been instructed to visit schools and colleges within their jurisdiction to monitor and support the event’s implementation. Guidelines for participation and meetings The department has outlined detailed plans to accommodate parents in schools of varying sizes. In schools with fewer than 50 students, all parents will be invited for a general meeting. In schools with more than 50 students, priority will be given to parents of children in the highest class, depending on available space, ensuring a minimum of 50 parents attend. Teachers will brief parents on the academic performance, attendance, and overall progress of students. They will also share details about the school’s facilities, educational initiatives, and government schemes aimed at improving learning outcomes. Focus on new initiatives and awareness Parents will be introduced to programmes such as bilingual medium classes, pre-primary (ECCE) sections, Karnataka public schools, and PM SHRI schools, which form part of the state’s educational reforms. Schools have also been directed to create awareness sessions about: Health and nutrition schemes, Rights of children, The Right to Education Act, and The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. By involving parents directly, the department aims to make them active stakeholders in monitoring school functioning and promoting children’s holistic development. Involving parents in school development An important component of the programme will involve identifying the professions and talents of parents and exploring ways they can contribute to the development of the school. This includes supporting co-curricular activities, mentoring students, or volunteering for school improvement projects. Additionally, schools have been instructed to organise a felicitation programme to recognise toppers and students with special achievements in academics and extracurricular activities. Festive atmosphere and community spirit To mark the occasion, schools will be decorated and sweets distributed among students. The midday meal will be served as usual. Teachers have been asked to prepare displays showcasing students’ creative work, ongoing academic projects, and visual materials about government schemes. The idea is to make the meetings interactive and informative while reinforcing a sense of ownership among parents. A step towards better enrolment and accountability Officials said the large-scale event is part of a broader drive to increase public confidence in government schools and improve enrolment, particularly in rural areas where private schools have seen steady growth. By fostering open dialogue between parents and educators, the department hopes to strengthen accountability in the public education system. The upcoming parent-teacher meetings are expected to serve as a bridge between the government’s policy objectives and community-level implementation. With support from bureaucrats, teachers, and parents alike, the initiative could become a model for participatory school governance in Karnataka.
