Headteachers' perceptions regarding school councils at the primary level

Abstract

During the last decades, much emphasis has been made on the importance of parents in the child's education. Since the set up of School Councils in Malta, following the existence of PTA' s and PA' s respectively, parental involvement has been the main issue of concern. This study deals with the existence, functions and different forms of participation of school councils in the primary area of education. Moreover, this research project sets out to highlight the concerns and satisfactions of headteachers involved in these school councils. Such issues promoted in this study reflect on the aims, composition, problems faced by such councils and how these bodies compare with others present in the E.U. Following a review of the history and literature on the subject, an exposition of the analytical approach employed in this research project sets the background for the results obtained. Drawing mainly on a quantitative process, I sought to determine the main issues that headteachers are concerned with, and to acquire their insights on how effectiveness in this respect can be achieved.