Title: School-community relations : the principal's role

Abstract: A paper presented at the 7th Regional Conference of CCEA held at the University of Hong Kong on 20 August, 1992.

Title: The ethics of parental participation in school management

Abstract: Since the mid-1960s there has been a steady, although sometimes haphazard, growth of interest in greater parental participation in schooling (Watson, 1979). The arguments for parental participation in schooling and school management in particular rest on social and political considerations but are given focus with the welfare of the child. The social and political considerations of parental participation are those involved with the concept of democracy. In this context the primary function of a school management is concerned with the personal, social and political development of all those within its sphere of responsibility. This article takes the view that a school, for both ethical and practical reasons, must also address the developmental needs of parents, besides those of children and teachers (the latter two are not the concern of this article). It argues that their participation is both their right and duty. First, the article looks at the concept of participation. Next, it discusses the ethical arguments for parental participation in schooling. Lastly, it examines the degree of parental participation in school management in Fiji. Although the discussion is based on my educational experience in Fiji, it is intended to have wider relevance.