Exploring parental involvement in learners’ education: A case of selected junior primary schools in the Kavango West region, Namibia
This study set out to find out how involved parents are in their kids' education in the Kavango West Region. Parents should be equipped with the knowledge necessary to enthusiastically support their children in their academic endeavors, as they are an invaluable resource for students' education. Three primary goals guided the study: (1) finding out how involved parents are in their kids' education at selected junior primary schools; (2) identifying barriers to parents' involvement in students' education at selected junior primary schools; and (3) identifying possible ways to increase parents' involvement in students' education. The qualitative method was applied in this study along with a case study design. In order to facilitate a more comprehensive study in an organic environment, a case study was selected. All in all of twenty-three (23) participants, consisting of three (3) principals, ten (10) teachers and ten (10) parents formed the study sample. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were employed for data collection. Convenience sampling was employed because it enabled the researcher to take a sample from a conveniently accessible but relevant population. Thematic data analysis was used as it breaks down the data into more manageable smaller groups. The study revealed that most parents are involved in the education of their children, however, they are faced with some barriers. Such barriers include parents’ other responsibilities, parents’ attitude towards school activities, parents’ educational background, dissemination of information in English, parent’s financial constraints, and parents’ cultural differences. The study further suggested the strategies that the schools could adopt to strengthen parental involvement in the education of their children. Such strategies include building trust between schools and parents; providing home activities; treating parents as partners and major stakeholders; and organising volunteer programs for parents. The study propose that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture should have responsibilities to ensure parental involvement. The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture should recognise the community as a partner in education, and schools should have good lines of communication to keep parents well informed about everything their children are doing at school. The study further suggests that schools should have good lines of communication to keep parents well informed in everything their children are doing at school
Academic achievement, Junior primary, Learners’ education, Parent-teacher association, parental involvement, perceptions, socio-economic status, University of Namibia, Namibia
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