QuestionsQuestions (OTS MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02, S. 2013)
The order encourages PTAs and PTCAs in all primary and secondary schools at all times, with the primacy of the interest and welfare of school children.
No. Membership in PTAs and PTCAs is strictly voluntary. It should never be proprietary nor held indefinitely.
PTA membership is limited to parents (or legal guardians) of students enrolled in the school and teachers therein.
PTCA membership is open not only to parents and teachers but also to interested people in the community, including local officials. The tenure of membership of the last two groups should not exceed four (4) years.
The powers are exercised by a Board of Directors composed of fifteen (15) members elected at large by the General Assembly.
The officers are the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and optionally the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager, and Secretary. The officers are elected by the Board of Directors from among its members.
Board members and officers serve a term of two (2) years to coincide with the school year. No PTA/PTCA officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Elections are held annually on Saturday or Sunday of the fourth week after opening of classes. Immediately after the election, the Board formally organizes by electing the officers from among themselves.
Vacancies other than removal by the General Assembly or expiration of term may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors if they still constitute a quorum; otherwise, the vacancy must be filled by the PTA/PTCA members at a regular or special meeting of the General Assembly called for the purpose. The replacement serves only the unexpired term.
The General Assembly composed of parents (or legal guardians) of enrolled students and teachers therein decides by majority vote of members present constituting a quorum whether to organize a PTA or PTCA. It must adopt a constitution/articles of association and bylaws consistent with the guidelines.
PTA/PTCA constitutions/articles of association and bylaws inconsistent with the guidelines may be amended up to the end of School Year 1998-1999 to conform with the guidelines.
Only PTA/PTCA organized consistent with the guidelines shall be recognized by the school principal. Only one (1) parents-teachers association, either a PTA or PTCA, shall be recognized by the principal.
Only a recognized PTA/PTCA is authorized to collect membership and annual dues and other authorized voluntary contributions from students and/or their parents. Collection must be voluntary and not required for admission or transfer purposes.
Public school teachers are prohibited from membership in PTAs/ PTCAs not recognized by the school principal. Teachers and officials who are members are prohibited from holding key positions except as a member of the Board or secretary, unless they are also parents of a student enrolled in the school—then they may hold any position.
The amount of dues should be reduced to an affordable level and approved by the General Membership Assembly during its annual meeting. Teachers shall be exempted from these dues unless classified as parents.
Projects must be funded out of voluntary contributions from members and undertaken only upon prior consultation with the school principal and duly approved by the Board.
Collections must be voluntary, with no requirement for admission or transfer. They must be treated as trust funds deposited in a reputable banking institution, with collections and official receipts handled by the Treasurer (or authorized representative). An annual financial statement report signed jointly by President, Treasurer, and Auditor must be prepared and submitted to the General Assembly, with a copy furnished to the school principal. Without this report, the school principal shall not authorize collection for the incoming school year.
They are prohibited from selling insurance/pre-need plans (or similar schemes) to students/parents, operating a canteen/school supplies store or being a concessionaire, engaging in partisan political activities, and interfering in school management/operation. If they continue such prohibited activities one (1) week after notification by the school principal, recognition is cancelled upon approval of the Schools Division Superintendent based on the principal’s recommendation. The sanction is lifted only upon resignation of board and officers and election of successors.