THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS-TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (PTA) IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
In Nigeria, education for a long time was almost a private enterprise. The missionaries individual and some voluntary organizations shoulder the respective responsibilities of providing education for teeming and over increasing population of the country. In 1973, the, Bendel State government education edict of the previous year (1972) resolved the ownership and control of educational institutions and of economy from these private organizations individual and religious groups. This was done largely with a view to ensuring that the interest served by education is entirely Nigerian. As would be expressed there was an increase in the number of schools under state control. This brought in the numerous administrative and financial problems. As this situation was not bad enough, the government of professor Ambrose Alli declared free education in 1979, at the same time, Allis government encouraged communities to establish more colleges on their own and also take active part in their day to day running. With the increase in the number of schools and students in 1972, it became clear that government efforts alone cannot sustain the schools system. A direct result of this was that schools financing and physical development also became a partnership between the state government and the people represented by a body known as parent teachers association.
The Bendel state education edict of 1972 earlier given legal backing and encouragement to the formulation of parents teachers association in schools. The parents teachers association with an executive body of twelve members known as the school committee among others empowered by law to perform the following functions.
1. Making representation to be board or local teaching service committee as the case may be on matters affecting the school.
2. Co-ordination of local voluntary efforts such as the provision of financial and assistance to the school
3. Subject to the provision of this law doing such things as may effectively enhance the tone and efficiency of the schools.
4. Provision of suitable liaison between teachers and parents on the hand between the parents teachers association and the commission, local teaching committee or the ministry of education, as the case may be on the other.
