Studies demonstrate that less affluent communities have little social capital due to limited financial and human capital in the community that it can leverage on. Levels of such types of capital in communities shape aspects of community life, one of which is membership in civic organizations such as Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs). Consequently, PTAs in schools in less affluent communities do not flourish in the same way that PTAs in affluent communities do. However, this is not always the case as seen in a case study of a PTA in a Philippine public school. A qualitative study conducted in 2017 and 2023 examined experiences of eighteen (18) PTA officers and volunteers through focus group discussions which were then validated by the principal and two (2) teachers through interviews. Thematic analysis was done using James Coleman’s dimensions of social capital interfaced with processes that lead to social capital formation. Findings indicate that, despite the PTA’s limited resources, local norms of reciprocity drove its engagements with the school community. In the process, the PTA volunteers formed useful ties among themselves. These useful ties signaled social capital formation in the PTA, providing access to important resources for the PTA and the school. Considering that little is known about the interactions that generate social capital, this study elaborates on the quality of interactions that generate useful ties and strengthen networks. Lastly, this study demonstrates how civic organizations in less affluent communities can use social capital to counteract the disadvantages found in their context.

Authors:
Amelia Lorena Dycoco, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Ms Amelia P. Dycoco is currently a School Development Program Supervisor of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) at the Ateneo de Manila University.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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