A Qualitative Exploration of Teachers Perspectives on Barriers to Parental Involvement in Primary Schools

Author(s) : Nadia Saleem , Iqbal Ahmad , Asghar Ali

Abstract:

Abstract

Research in the context of Pakistan has indicated that parents are disenfranchised by the educational system since they have no idea how to actively participate in the schools. The primary objective of this study was to explore the key hurdles to parental participation in government male primary schools in Batkhela, Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The problem was investigated using a qualitative case study research design. For data collection, semi-structure interviews were conducted with 13 teachers in two government primary schools at Batkhela Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. For data analysis, thematic analysis technique was used. The data was collected, transcribed and analyzed based on coding and categorizing the themes. Based on the analysis, the study found that lack of interest, parental profession, lack of awareness, checking home-work, were the major hurdles that prevented active parental participation in education. It is concluded that way to make the parents get involved in their child learning process is sending letters to parents, because, sending letters about children’s’ strong and weak areas their parents, then parents compel them to come into school and discuss with teachers.

Keywords: Parental involvement, Primary school, Awareness, Barriers, Teacher perspectives