The+role+of+parent+council+in+my+school

Speaking from a personal perspective, I find the role of our PAC (Parent Advisory Council) very inadequate at my school. After questioning administrators as well as colleagues, they informed me here in BC, some ‘engaged’ parent councils advise the administrators on everything from best practices in evaluating students to the need of uniforms for public schools, thereby taking an active role within the culture of the school. However, this is all in an advisory capacity and technically the final say is still with the school leaders. I feel as if our school’s PAC takes on a very limited advisory role and I basically consider them a funds distribution committee. They receive a percentage of Gaming funds from Casino and Lottery revenues once a year and distribute these monies to various clubs and departments within the school. Therefore, the only time of the year many of my colleagues have any contact with the parent advisory council is when we are asking them for money.

Harjot Ghuman