This study investigates parental involvement in school governance in selected high schools in Zwelitsha, King Williams Town District in the Eastern Cape Province. The research study was conducted in three high schools in Zwelitsha Township. These schools are Nompendulo Senior Secondary, Thembalabantu High School and Xolani Senior Secondary School. Questionnaires were designed and distributed to the principals, educators and parents whose children are learners in these schools. The interview questions were designed and distributed to parents whose children are learners in these selected schools, educators and school principals and members of the school governing body from each school. Respondents were asked about the levels of parental involvement in their schools, parents’ awareness of school governance and the relationship between schools and communities. However, the objectives of the study were to: Assess parental involvement in school governance in selected high schools in Zwelitsha, King Williams Town District in the Province of the Eastern Cape; To determine the nature and extent of parental participation in school academic activities; To examine the role of parents in the school governing body; To determine measures that can be taken to encourage the participation of parents in school governance These objectives have been achieved by providing empirical evidences which shows that the levels of parental involvement in the previously disadvantaged high schools are very low. This is related to the parents’ level of education. Parents who are literate are more involved than those are illiterate. This research also reveals that high v. levels of working parents contributes to the low levels of parental involvement in school governance. Most parents in this area know nothing about school governance and those that are aware are not keen to be involved. The class structure of the society has an influence in the participation of parents in school governance. Parents’ meetings that are held on Sunday afternoon are a challenge to parents that come from the villages outside Zwelitsha because of the scarcity of transport on this day. and these situations discourage them from being actively involved in their children’s education. The study provides the factors that cause non-involvement of parents in school governance. Subsequently, the following strategies for participation of parents in school governance were given: Capacitating of parents Establishment of teacher-parent collegiality Recognition of cultural capital Establishment of parent organisations Utilisation of non-governmental organisations Establishment of centres of learning. This study also indicates the following strategies that may assist to enhance the parental involvement in school governance: Parents engagement and empowerment Co-operation between schools and parents Collaboration with other community, private and other public institutions Invitation of complaints and welcoming of criticism. In conclusion, the findings provide clear indication that the participation of parents in school governance is low. Recommendations that could assist the schools to encourage and to enhance parents to participate in school governance are given.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:8165 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Zuma, Nandipha |
| Publisher | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Arts |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Masters, MPA |
| Format | v, 76 leaves, pdf |
| Rights | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
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