Parents’ involvement in education of their children: case study of two selected secondary schools in the Amathole West District
- Authors: Adelabu, O J
- Date: 2020-10
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation , Parent-teacher relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19969 , vital:44857
- Description: Parents’ involvement is a very important element that has an influence on children’s education. However, research has shown that parents’ involvement is the biggest challenge facing South African schools. The study sought to investigate parents’ involvement in the education of their children at secondary school in Amathole West District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was underpinned by Epstein’s theory of parental involvement and the Ecological framework. A qualitative approach was adopted in this study which was located within an interpretivist paradigm and used a case study approach with a sample of 26 participants which includes (2 school principals, 6 educators, 6 parents and 12 learners) were selected conveniently, data was collected using focus group discussions, interviews and document analysis. The study revealed that although schools have employed various strategies to improve parental involvement in their children’s education, there are still challenges which inhibit the effectiveness of these strategies. The study also revealed that most parents are unable to get involved as expected by the school due to some challenges such as poverty, unemployment, educational background, distance and illiteracy. Consequently, the study recommended that parents must be more actively involved in the school and collaborate with their children’s teacher in order to bring out the best in their children. Furthermore, to ensure effective parents’ involvement, schools may have activities that can develop, improve and encourage parents’ involvement in such areas as parenting, communication, learning at home, volunteering, decision making and community collaboration. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-10
A case study: the role of a positive school climate in the enhancement of parental and community involvement at a primary school in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Cloete, Jacqueline
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation , Community and school , Home and school
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8735 , vital:26425
- Description: This study examines the phenomenon of parental and community involvement in a primary school and the benefits thereof to the learners, teachers and community members. The aim of this study is to investigate how a positive school climate can improve the involvement of parents and community members in a school’s activities. The research attempted to determine what the role of a positive school climate is; the strategies schools could apply to enhance parental and community involvement, the possible benefits of involvement and reasons for non-involvement of parents and community members in school activities. The theoretical frameworks of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and Joyce Epstein’s overlapping spheres of influence were used in the study. A case study was used as the qualitative research methodology. The data for the research was gathered from a purposive sample of teachers, community volunteer workers, parents and the principal. Semi-structured interview schedules and pre-designed questionnaires including open and closed questions, were used to collect data. The data was analysed inductively by using a descriptive open coding method to identify emerging themes. The findings of the research suggest that a positive school climate to improve parent and community involvement can be created by applying the strategies of effective communication, good working relationships, creating opportunities for involvement, ensuring a healthy and safe environment, formulating a school policy for parent and community involvement, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere as well as upholding an ethos of good moral values. The study found that parent and community involvement in a school’s activities offers various benefits to all stakeholders.
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- Date Issued: 2015