BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Parents and guardians of White River Community High School students are calling on the school’s principal and admin to revive the school’s parent teacher association (PTA).
For nearly six years, the school has gone without a PTA, and parents are raising concerns regarding the governance and administrative practices of the school administration.
Several parents who spoke to this paper on condition of anonymity said PTA meetings play a vital role to strengthen collaboration between families and educators, promote transparency, and support improvements in student welfare, academic performance, and school development.
White River community Facebook page, with more than 2,000 members, earlier this month held an online poll in which 99 percent of nearly-100 participants called for a PTA.
The parents said the lack of PTA meetings has limited opportunities for dialogue and collective decision-making between the school administration and the parent community.
They said that the last PTA was held in 2020 and that part of their call is for a fresh PTA to elect the new school board.
Concerns were also raised about the leadership of the school board.
Parents said no formal meeting was held involving parents, teachers, and board members to elect a new chairperson following the death of the former chair.
Instead, parents said that the Board appointed a new chairman and vice without a broader consultative process from stakeholders and parents’ representatives.
“There are potential people who can bring value to the school if they are board members, but with no PTA the current school board is running it like a private school or family owned,” the parents said.
According to the parents, the school Board is supposed to be chosen from the hosting community, Honiara City council (HCC) and school representatives, but not chosen by the Board.
The concerned parents request clarification from both the school principal and the board regarding these matters, with the aim to promote accountability and ensure that proper procedures are followed.
When contacted for comment, School Principal Hampton Bekepio encouraged parents and guardians with concerns to engage directly with the school administration.
“They should come to the school administration to address their issues, as the school operates under established guidelines. Our office remains open, and we welcome parents to come forward,” Mr Bekepio said.
He said that the issues raised are administrative in nature and affirms the school administration’s willingness to meet with parents to discuss their concerns.
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