Monthly Parent-Teacher Meetings in Bihar Government Schools to Focus on Attendance, Academic Progress, and Hygiene

By Neeraj Kumar

Patna: Government schools in Bihar will now host a Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) on one Saturday each month. These meetings aim to provide parents with updates on their children’s academic performance and attendance, fostering collaboration between teachers and families.

During the meetings, parents of students with good attendance will be commended, while discussions will be held with parents of students who have poor attendance to identify the underlying reasons. The Bihar Education Department has issued detailed instructions to all District Education Officers (DEOs) to ensure the effectiveness of these seminars.

Guidelines from the Education Department

Pankaj Kumar, Director of Primary Education, has directed all DEOs to ensure the smooth organisation of these monthly PTMs in every government school across the state. According to the instructions:

• Scheduled Dates: Headteachers are required to fix the meeting date at the start of each month.
• Parental Invitations: Parents must be invited through phone calls or personal contact by the teachers.
• Record Keeping: Class teachers will maintain a seminar register to record summaries of discussions with parents after the meeting.

Key Focus Areas of the Meeting

1. Attendance Monitoring:
   Teachers will share the attendance record of each child for the month. Parents will be encouraged to send their children to school regularly and in proper uniform.
2. Hygiene Awareness:
   Teachers will address the importance of hygiene and its impact on children’s well-being.
3. Academic Performance:
   Discussions will centre on children’s progress in reading fluency and mathematical skills. Parents will be requested to provide additional support at home, particularly for children struggling in language and mathematics.
4. Homework Supervision:
   Teachers will also review homework completion and encourage parents to ensure at least one hour of daily study at home in Hindi and English.

Aiming for Better Outcomes

Pankaj Kumar emphasised the importance of making these meetings productive to yield tangible results. The initiative is designed to strengthen the partnership between schools and families, ensuring that students receive consistent support both in school and at home.

By addressing attendance, academic performance, and hygiene, the monthly PTMs are expected to bring about significant improvements in students’ overall development.