How Can We Bring More Parents to PTMs?

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Bringing more parents to PTMs in Sindh villages requires a localized, culturally sensitive approach that considers literacy levels, mobility challenges, and social dynamics. Here’s a strategy tailored to the context of rural Sindh:
How to Bring More Parents to PTMs in Sindh Villages

1. Involve Community Leaders & Influencers

Engage village elders, religious leaders (imams), or social influencers to endorse PTMs.
When respected figures emphasize the importance of education, more parents feel encouraged to attend.

2. Use Local Languages & Simple Messaging

Communicate in Sindhi or the local dialect.
Use clear, respectful, and non-academic language in invitations and reminders.

3. Make Announcements in Mosques and Local Gatherings

Ask imams to announce the PTM during Friday prayers.
Use community events, village baithaks, or even local melas to spread the word.

4. Use Door-to-Door Personal Invitations

Have teachers or local volunteers visit homes with personal invites.
A face-to-face request is often more effective in rural communities than written notices.

5. Create a Welcoming and Respectful Environment

Treat parents as equal partners, not just guests or observers.
Offer tea, snacks, and a friendly tone — small gestures go a long way.

6. Align PTM Timing with Local Routines

Schedule meetings after working hours, like in the late afternoon or after Maghrib prayers.
Avoid harvest times or market days when parents are busiest.

7. Involve Students

Ask students to prepare performances, speeches, or drawings to display.
Parents are more likely to attend if their child is part of something being presented.

8. Combine PTMs with Other Services

Offer health check-ups, free eye camps, or government service info sessions alongside the PTM.
This gives parents an added reason to attend.

9. Gender Sensitivity

For areas with gender restrictions, organize separate sessions for mothers and fathers, possibly led by female and male teachers respectively.

10. Follow Up with Appreciation

Thank parents who came — publicly or privately.
Share how their attendance benefited their child’s progress and encourage them for the next PTM.

Involve students in creating personal invitation cards or videos for their parents—it adds a heartfelt touch. Also, offer flexible timing or short online slots for working parents to join in easily.

@Afshan @Sanaa @Shaista-Begum @Sanam @Mariya @Engr-Zeeshan @Dilkasha @MARYA31abbb94d4

Thank you dear fellows for your kind responses and valuable suggestions. Each idea shared here brings hope and inspiration for better parent engagement in future inshaAllah truly grateful and Looking forward to hearing more creative and practical ideas from you all!

Iam also belong to rural area so being a teacher over there Iam agreed with your statement.i think villagers are normally uneducated.tjey don't know how to behave at school how they should have to take interest in their children's daily school routine or education because they think its not necessary for them especially for their girls. As early child marriage is common in them .
I think being a teachers it's our responsibility to call PTM at least twice a month to educate parents and encouragement them to accept and perform their parents duties very well ..

Strategy that I always use is that:I got all parents Contact numbers.Whenever a student want to get leave he may write an application or in case of emergency he call me.If he is absent without informing.I call his/her parents and know the reason of his/her absent.Keep conncted with parents call them Individually through Call,Short notice and Keep write a note on their homewrok page.

@MARYA31abbb94d4

@Sanaa Collect and maintain accurate contact details for all the parents in your school.
Set up chats about school/ PTA events/ lost uniform/ homework.
Put up requests for volunteers.
Sell tickets for events.
Send newsletters and emails.

@Mariya Providing parenting support,
Communicating with parents,
Providing a variety of volunteer opportunities,
Supporting learning at home,
Encouraging parents to be part of decision-making in schools,
Collaborating with the community.

@Sanaa keep parents updated

Good ideas that you have shared, I think promoting good values and greetings , moral, ethics amongst pupil can make their parents happy too, and in my my if their child bahave good and communicate that my teacher has told me to help your mother and respect elders, that bring positivity in parents and they happily come to school for PTM or randomly come to school for childs progress..

@Shaguftabisharat
Absolutely! You're right when students learn and practice good values, greetings, morals, and ethics, it not only shapes their character but also creates a ripple effect at home. When a child says, "My teacher told me to help my mother and respect elders," it brings joy and pride to the parents. It builds a strong connection between home and school, encouraging parents to engage more actively, attend PTMs with enthusiasm, or even visit the school to appreciate the teacher’s efforts. This kind of positive communication builds trust and a supportive learning environment for the child.

@Sanaa yes

@MARYA31abbb94d4 its good idea

@Dilkasha it should continue

@Engr-Zeeshan pTM is not only to inform about child 's studies but to make ready the parents involvement

@Mariya-Rajpar yes

@Afshan Who to involve: Village elders, religious leaders (imams), lady health workers, and influential local women.

@RUBAB-khaskheli Invite them to speak about the value of education and parental involvement during gatherings or prayers.

@Shaguftabisharat Always communicate in Sindhi or the most common local dialect.

@Mariya-Rajpar Mosques: Request imams to announce PTM dates during Friday khutba.

Public spaces: Use baithaks, melas, and market days to spread the message.

Audio announcements: Use megaphones or community radio where available.