The Ministry of Education has announced the reintroduction of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) across the country after an eight-year suspension. The move comes with new guidelines aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and collaboration between parents, teachers, and school administrators.

Addressing the media in Accra, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu explained that the new framework is part of broader education reforms designed to improve learning outcomes and ensure PTAs function as true partners in education.

“The time has come to reintroduce PTAs—not as a burden on parents, but as partners in education. We need a structure that supports transparency, accountability, and collaboration,” the Minister said.

Why PTAs Were Suspended

PTAs were suspended more than eight years ago following concerns of misuse of funds and reports that some PTAs had colluded with school authorities to levy illegal fees on parents, undermining the government’s flagship Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

The New PTA Framework

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education established a committee to review the role of PTAs and recommend reforms. That committee has since completed its work and submitted its report, which has now been adopted.

The new operational framework outlines:

• Strict financial accountability measures to prevent misuse of funds.
• Clear roles and responsibilities for PTAs in supporting schools.
• Alignment with government education policies, especially Free SHS.
• Mechanisms for collaboration between parents, teachers, and administrators.

Stakeholder Support for PTA Reforms

Professor Ernest Davis, Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), welcomed the reforms, describing them as a “significant step forward.”

“These guidelines mark a turning point. They will help us resolve longstanding challenges in schools and ensure parents are meaningfully involved in their children’s education,” Professor Davis said.

He added that the reforms will promote trust and cooperation in schools, ensuring that “no child is left behind” in Ghana’s education system.

With the reintroduction of PTAs under stricter rules, the Ministry of Education expects stronger collaboration among stakeholders to foster a more supportive academic environment and ensure the long-term success of Ghana’s education reforms.