Education stakeholders have emphasized that Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) can play a crucial role in improving the quality of education, increasing student attendance, and reducing dropout rates in schools. According to them, meaningful improvements in educational outcomes are not possible without building effective partnerships among schools, families, and local communities.

The remarks were made on Sunday at a knowledge-sharing event titled “Strengthening PTAs and Launching the FLN Catch-Up Initiative: Learning Together,” held at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Dhaka. The event was organized by BRAC Education Programme and attended by representatives from government agencies, development organizations, and various stakeholders in the education sector.

The Importance of PTAs in Preventing Dropouts

Speaking as the chief guest, Md. Shakhawat Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, said that one of the major challenges facing the country’s education system is that many students drop out before reaching the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. One reason for this is that students often fail to properly understand lessons taught in the classroom.

To address the issue, initiatives have been undertaken to ensure teacher accountability and provide support to struggling students through diagnostic assessments. He also noted that the government is working to raise primary education standards to international levels.

Safi Rahman Khan, Director of BRAC’s Education, Skills Development and Migration Programme, said that sustainable progress and accountability in education cannot be achieved by relying solely on central structures. He stressed the need for a new social movement that raises parents’ awareness of their responsibilities and rights within the education system.

Mohammad Atikur Rahman, Additional Director General (PEDP-4) of the Directorate of Primary Education, described PTAs as one of the most underutilized resources in the education sector. He said that if activated effectively, PTAs could significantly improve teacher accountability and the overall quality of primary education.

Key Findings from BRAC Research

At the event, Md. Moyazzem Hossain, Programme Head (Development) of BRAC Education Programme, presented updates on the project and introduced the Catch-Up Learning Programme aimed at addressing learning gaps among students.

BRAC’s PTA Strengthening Project is currently being implemented in 46 government primary schools across Sadar, Badarganj, and Pirganj upazilas of Rangpur district. The project seeks to improve PTA effectiveness, increase parental awareness, and strengthen community engagement to enhance social accountability and keep children in school.

A research study conducted to assess the project’s impact, potential, and lessons learned found that schools with active PTAs tend to have lower rates of child labor, higher student attendance, and significantly more mental health-related activities.

Catch-Up Programme to Address Learning Loss

To tackle learning gaps among primary school students, BRAC has launched the Accelerated Catch-Up Learning Programme. The three-year initiative will be implemented in 735 government primary schools across six upazilas in Bangladesh.

Under the programme, remedial support will be provided to students in Grades 3 to 5, while preventive support will be offered to students in Grades 1 and 2. The initiative is expected to bring rapid improvements in reading, writing, and mathematics skills. It will also focus on strengthening the capacities of teachers, headteachers, and education officials.

Emphasis on Collective Participation

In his closing remarks, Prafulla Chandra Barman, Senior Adviser to BRAC Education Programme, said that joint participation by parents and teachers is essential for ensuring quality education. He noted that direct parental involvement in children’s education has a positive impact on learning outcomes.

Participants at the event expressed optimism that strengthening school-based PTAs and implementing targeted initiatives to address learning gaps could create new opportunities for improving the quality of primary education in Bangladesh.

Effective PTAs for Better School Education

BRAC has highlighted the importance of Parent-Teacher Associations in improving educational quality, preventing student dropouts, and addressing learning gaps through stronger collaboration among schools, families, and communities.