English abstract
The current study aims to identify the roles of a social worker in activating
the parent councils’ participation in public schools’ educational processes,
recognize the council's role in the educational process, and identify the
challenges facing the councils and social workers, as well as providing
suggestions that could play a role in activating parent councils’ participation.
To achieve the objectives of this study, the researcher used a mixed
approach, using both quantitative and qualitative data. The questionnaire and
interviewing tools were used in this study, as the questionnaire was applied
to a sample of (160) social workers and deputies from Muscat public schools.
However, the interviewing tool was conducted on a sample of (6) parent
council heads from various wilayat in Muscat.
The results of the study concluded that: The social worker plays various roles
in activating parent councils, such as involving parent council members in
the counseling and awareness programs he prepares, participating in
organizing the parent council’s general assembly meeting, and making sure
that the parent councils’ roles are properly highlighted within the school. As
for the contribution of parent councils’ contribution in the educational
process, there were two phrases, i.e. “parent council plays a role in activating
religious and national occasions at school” and “parent council plays a role
in enhancing positive values and attitudes among students”, that showed a
very high relative strength. Parent councils face some challenges, such as
low budgets and parents abstaining from participating. Besides, social
workers have their own challenges, such as overloaded burdens which
showed a very high relative strength. There are some practices to be
suggested to activate the role of parent councils: For example, honoring the
most effective parent council in a region.
The study recommended providing offices or classrooms equipped with all
stationery and tools for the parent councils, allocating part of the budget to
manage the parent councils’ work, and organizing their contribution to
support the educational process in public schools.
