Parents’ Council: How you can help shape the school
As a parents’ council, you have the opportunity to get actively involved in your child’s school and beyond. Would you like to know which tasks a member of the parents’ council takes on and whether volunteering as a parents’ council would also be a job for you? We will help you further.
There is no uniform name for the parents’ council in Germany. It is also called “parental council”, “parent representation” or “parent committee”. The Parents’ Council works closely with the school and parents. He ensures that the interests of parents and students are taken into account and taken into account in school decisions. “Parents’ Council” can refer to a person’s office or an elected body, because it exists at different levels: at class level as class parent representatives, at school level as school parents’ council, at city, district or community level, at state level as state parents’ council and finally at federal level as a federal parent council.
Parents’ Council: what are its responsibilities?
Which tasks the parents’ council takes on and how far its rights of co-determination extend is regulated differently depending on the federal state. The differences tend to be in the details, for example whether the parents’ council is responsible for organizing student guides or has a vote in the naming of the school. The main tasks of the parent association are:
- keep in touch with school and parents.
- to pass on the wishes, ideas and suggestions of parents and pupils to teachers, the school management or the school ministry.
- Participate in school conferences and parent meetings.
- Informing parents about school matters.
What can the parent council influence?
At the regular meetings, for example at parents’ evenings or school conferences, the parents’ council has an advisory and decision-making function in school matters. Among other things, it can influence the following areas:
- school education
- Measures in the event of administrative offences
- Selection of teaching aids
- School meals (organization of a suitable provider and agreement on costs)
- school rules
- Facilities and equipment of the school
- School cleanliness and safety
- Organization and financing of project days, excursions and school trips
- suspension of a student
Why become a parent council?
As a parent council, you are very close to the action. You will find out news about the developments and events in your child’s class or school and also have the opportunity to help shape many areas of the school. If you want to exert even more influence, there are even “opportunities for advancement” so that you can advance to the Federal Parents’ Council and make suggestions there for educational policy, for example.
Another advantage of the parents’ council is that you get to know many parents and can exchange ideas with them. Talking to the parents, you will find out whether your own concerns and wishes regarding the school are justified. As a parents’ council, you can then campaign for specific solutions and ideas. With your commitment you show that you are interested in your child’s school or the school system in general and that you are committed to helping others. There is no money for volunteering as a parents’ council, but there is a lot of gratitude and recognition.
Parents’ Council: A job for you?
Are you considering standing for election as a parent councillor, but you are not yet sure whether volunteering is something for you? It is best to find out directly from your child’s school about the exact tasks and rights of participation for the parents’ council.
In any case, you should have a genuine interest in the school and the will to help others. Also keep in mind that as a parent council you have to invest time and work: you have a duty to attend various meetings and keep in touch with parents and the school. You should have the courage to address sensitive issues and to mediate between school and parents. Above all, you should enjoy organizing things, exchanging ideas with people and making decisions about the school. Working as a parents’ council gives you an insight into the school and gives you the opportunity to make a difference. So have the courage to get involved as a parents’ council!
The position as a parents’ council is too time-consuming for you, but you still want to get involved in the school? In our article on working with parents , you can find out what other ways you can get involved at your child’s school.