The Department for Education and Employment wants to set up the network for the estimated 400 parent-governor representatives due to take up places on English education authorities by the end of this month.
Officials are also seeking parent-governor nominees to fill two places for parents on the General Teaching Council.
The National Confedration for Parent-Teacher Associations says parent-governors have quite different interests from "ordinary" parents.
David Butler, the confederation's director, said: "We would rather government had the view of parents as consumers of education."
Governors, 28-29
"Little Polities - Schooling, Governance and Parental Participation", Jane Martin and Professor Stewart Ranson, Birmingham University, and Dr Carol Vincent, Institute of Education. For education information for parents visit www.learnfree.co.uk
