A formal agreement between the NSW Department of Education and the state’s Federation of Parents & Citizens (P&C) gives parents a stronger voice in students’ education.
This 10-year partnership will support parents’ participation in their children’s education – ensuring their voices are heard, while recognising the work of local P&C associations.
The Partnership Agreement outlines how the Department will consult with the peak body for public school parents on matters relating to the education of students across its 2,200 schools.
The P&C Federation is the largest education volunteer group in NSW and represents the State’s 1,800 local school Parents’ & Citizens’ Associations, with 6,500 executive members and thousands more volunteer parents and carers.
Public school P&C associations across NSW have defied a national drop in volunteering, with the P&C’s peak body reporting a return to pre-COVID volunteer numbers.
“Parents have been presented with more opportunities to volunteer within their school community as years of COVID access restrictions ease,” recently elected P&C Federation President Yvonne Hilsz told The Bursar.
“They have embraced these opportunities and are seeking to have meaningful engagement with respect to their children’s education.”
A spokesperson from the NSW Department of Education told The Bursar that building relationships with parents are vital to improving student education.
“Research shows parental engagement in their children’s education significantly improves student outcomes,” she says.
“Better engagement promotes stronger relationships in the classroom and the school community. Parents are the first and continuing educators of their children.
“The Partnership Agreement between the NSW Department of Education and P&C Federation outlines the Department’s commitment to consulting with the peak body for public school parents on strategic matters.”
The Department has committed to work with the P&C Federation on the development and implementation of educational policies and programs, with the shared goal of achieving the best outcomes for students.
“Building healthy and respectful relationships is everyone’s responsibility, and schools, in close partnership with parents, have a vital role to play,” said the Department’s spokesperson.
Ms Hilsz said the Partnership Agreement highlighted the important role of parents in the future direction of NSW public education.
“The NSW P&C Federation has always acted as a conduit for information to flow between our 1,800 member P&C associations across NSW and the NSW Department of Education,” she told The Bursar.
“The recently signed Partnership Agreement between the Federation and Department formalises that process.”
The P&C Federation and member associations have collaborated with school leaders and their staff, parents and carers, and other key stakeholders to develop the partnership agreement.
As a first initiative under the agreement, the Department is working with the P&C Federation to develop a practical guide to help schools work more effectively with local P&C associations.
