Listen
National Parent Forum
21/11/2009
A new forum that gives parents a greater voice on a national level will hold its first meeting in Glasgow today (Saturday), with parent representatives from 30 of Scotland's 32 local authorities taking part.
At the initial meeting of the National Parent Forum, the focus will be on establishing key priorities and aims of a truly representative parents forum; how the forum can influence government and other stakeholders; and discussing how online technology can help involve parents across the country.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said:
"I believe that parents have a key role to play in the learning and development of their child and - at this time of significant change in Scottish education - it's critical that the views of parents are recognised and heard.
"Across Scotland we now have Parent Councils in 92 per cent of local authority schools. Parent Councils have given many more parents the opportunity to be heard locally, however parents have made it clear that they want a strong voice at a national level also. That's why we have taken forward plans to establish a new, parent-led national forum.
"To help involve parents unable to attend national events such as this, we are also taking forward plans to establish a National Parents Group via Glow, the national schools intranet. This online service will allow Parent Councils across Scotland to gather and exchange ideas on parental involvement and to feed in their views on issues affecting their children's education."
David Cameron, outgoing President of the Association of Directors of Education Scotland, will chair the new forum. Mr Cameron said:
"ADES welcomes this first meeting of the national Parents' Forum. As partners in your children's education at local and national level, we want to work closely with you. We want to ensure that we provide better education and improved services. We know that we can only do this alongside parents and we see this Forum as an important step in shaping our relationship with you. We wish the Forum every success, whatever shape that it takes and however it decides to operate, and look forward to positive links and productive partnership with you."
Kate Cunningham, Convener, Scottish Parent Teacher Council said:
"This is an important and exciting day for parents in Scotland. SPTC looks forward to a long and positive association with the new National Parent Forum and to jointly demonstrating the effective and positive contribution that parents can make to their children's education."
Shoeb Saguroh, Chairperson, Scottish Muslim Parents Association added:
"The Scottish Muslim Parents Association will be pleased to support the Forum and contribute to ensuring that all of Scotland's parents can contribute their views and be heard."
The creation of a National Parent Forum follows on from an offer of support from the Education Secretary at the National Parent Conference held in June 2009, to help parents and Parent Councils have a stronger voice at a national level on educational issues.