The study aimed to explore the role of the school in promoting parental participation in
education. Parents’ perceptions of their role in education and the benefits of their
participation were also explored. Lastly, the study aimed to identify support structures
designed and implemented by schools to assist parents overcome barriers to their
participation.
The study employed qualitative methods. Data was collected in two stages. Firstly,
questionnaires were administered to parents and school staff. Returned questionnaires
were analysed. The data collected using the questionnaires was used as a springboard for
the second stage of data collection. This second stage included semi-structured
interviews conducted with educators and school managers. These interviews provided
the researcher with in – depth information which built on the information gathered
through the questionnaires.
The study aimed to explore the role of the school in promoting parental participation in
education by exploring various aspects that impact parental involvement within the
school. Attitude of school staff, school climate, school policy, communication and
management of parental participation were identified as aspects within a school that
impact parental participation in education.
The research revealed that while parents and school staff agreed that parental
participation in education is beneficial, parents’ perception of their participation was
limited to assisting their children with homework tasks. In addition, school staff were
unclear of their expectations of parents.
Findings revealed that the school plays an imperative role in promoting parental
participation in education since they have control over factors such as school climate,
school policy, home-school communication and management of parental participation
which all impact levels of parental participation within a school. The study also found
that the school in the study lacked support structures to assist parents overcome barriers
to their participation.
The study concludes by making recommendations for improved levels of parental
participation in education based on the findings of the study. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/9450 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Kannapathi, Kathlyn Lillian. |
| Contributors | Ntombela, Sithabile. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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