Topic 5 School and Community

5.0 Introduction

Students’ success in education to an extent depends on the involvement of the community. When community forms partnership and support the learning climate in school, students are more likely to view their schooling in positive light and be more receptive to learning. This bond of cooperation between school and community will definitely foster/promote healthy learning climate amongst students leading to the realization of goals of education in Malaysia.

5.1 Concept of School and Community

A school refers to a place where children get education while a community is a group of people who live in a particular area, country or a group of people who share the same religion, culture and live within a limited territory Is there is a difference between a community and society ? Please reflect. Try to remember what are the basic concepts of Sociology that you have learned in Topic 1

5.2 Relationship between school and community

Schools are an agent of socialization. The first major agent outside the family involved in socializing children has historically been the school. Through formal schooling, children are taught both the skills and attitudes they need in society and the heritage of their culture.

The social roles children learn at school are oriented more towards the wider society than are those that they learn at home. The teacher tells them what is expected of them as students, as members of their community and as citizens of their nation. In addition, for the first time the child is evaluated in a systematic way in comparison with others. The teacher may comment informally on the behaviour of students, praising and criticizing them.

Socialization at school emphasizes conformity to impersonal rules and authority, an adjustment basic to successful functioning in modern societies. At home, children learn to obey their parents and recognise them as authority figures. At school, children learn to obey the rules.

Hence, the community plays a major role in influencing the schools on issues relating to socializing the future generation. Therefore it is of utmost important for the community and schools to build a positive interdependence in order to achieve the desirable end products.

An effective partnerships and cooperation between schools and community can improve
students’ achievement in school, contribute to students’ success in life and nurture the development of healthy schools, families and communities.

Reflect on your past experiences, list down the organizations/ members of communities that have contributed to your schools. Just compare the list you have written with the list below. If they are similar, you have done a good job. Communities that can contribute to schools are:

§ Parents – through PTA
§ Non Governmental Organizations
§ Government Agencies
§ Corporate sectors
§ Business sectors
§ Educational bodies

Parents and schools should foster an effective partnership in order to promote positive effects on students’ learning. Active participation from parents will enhance the well being of the students and will also support the learning climate in schools.

Parents-Teachers Association ( PTA ) is one of the channels where parents can play an active and supportive role to encourage schools to achieve their goals. Reflect on your experience. Try to give examples of each of the above organizations. What form of contributions have the above organizations contributed towards your school and schooling?

List them down in a form of table. Stop and reflect. What do you think is the role of PTA in schools?.

5.3 The function/ purpose of Parents-Teachers Association:

§ To develop a close relationship between home and school.
§ To facilitate communication among members of the school and parents.
§ To strengthen communication between school, community and public.
§ To generate funds in support of student curricular activities for the school budget.
§ To organize and provide volunteer opportunities to reinforce the value of education.
§ To participate in school decisions regarding the development of schools and students’ achievement.
§ To coordinate resources and services from the community to the school and students.

Reflect your school days. Generally, how would you evaluate the relationship between the PTA and your school? How did they cooperate in the development of the school? Activities involving the community / parents to enhance cooperation and collaboration between schools are:

§ Community members / parents are invited to class or assemblies to speak.
§ Dialogue as to share ideas and information between the school and the community.
§ Students interview the community members / parents.
§ Students participate in the good-will programmes to carry out community service.
§ Students being guided by their parents in their school work.
§ Schools organize projects involving parents / community members
§ Cooperation with educational organizations such as museums, libraries and cultural groups to provide out of school opportunities for informal teaching and learning.
§ Tutoring and providing academic guidance in specific school subjects by community-based volunteers.
§ After-school programmes that provide remedial or enrichment learning activities that maximize the use of school resources and fulfilling parents’ need for childcare.

Stop and reflect.

During your school days, have you ever participated in activities involving the community? In your opinion have these activities helped you in anyway? In the light of your experiences list down the activities of non-governmental organizations, government agencies or educational organizations that have contributed to your school. In your opinion, which of these bodies have contributed the most towards schools in Malaysia?

We have come to the end of the unit. Hope you have gained a insight knowledge of school and the community. There is one more activity given below which you should try. Enjoy your task Based on your reading and experience, why do you think it is important to foster collaboration and partnership between schools and community in the present situation?

5.4 Summary

• Community should take responsibility in the development of education.
• Promoting cooperation and fostering partnership between community and schools will enrich and enhance students educational experiences.
• Members of community who might be able to contribute and collaborate with schools are namely, the NGO, Government agencies Corporate sectors, Business sectors, Parents etc.
• Support from the community through activities/programs and resources will benefit students in their development.
• It is vital to realize the importance of collaboration and partnership among schools and community members.
• The active participation and encouragement from the community will boost the idea of “Caring Society” mooted by the government.

Basic Reading Text

Ballantine, J.H. (2001). The Sociology of Education. A Systematic Analysis. 5th Edition.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.