Barriers to parents supporting children's learning in Volksrust Circuit, Gert Sibande District in Mpumalanga Province

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the barriers to parents supporting their children’s learning. The objectives were to determine the factors that impede parents from supporting their children’s learning and to find mitigating strategies thereof. The study further compared the practices in three types of schools, that is, the rural, township and suburban schools. The theory guiding the study was Lafaele and Hornby’s the explanatory model. The study used a qualitative research approach within an interpretivist paradigm. A phenomenology study design was used. The research study was undertaken in three high schools (rural, township and suburban) in the Volksrust Circuit. The sample of participants comprised of the principal, a Departmental Head (DH) and six parents serving in the school governing body (five from the suburban school) form each school. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and document analysis of the policies on parental involvement. They were analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that school-based barriers such as methods and reasons for communication, parental involvement policies and the language used in teaching and learning hinder parental involvement in children’s education. Parent and family based barriers such as work dynamics, knowledge of subject content, level of education, culture and delegated duties were also identified as barriers for parental involvement. The study also found that age of learners is a contributing child factor which hinders parental involvement in children’s education despite parents’ willingness to support their children’s learning. The study concludes that parental involvement is a dynamic phenomenon and that schools should not make decisions based on assumptions but on facts. Thus, this study recommends the use of technology, and other methods of communication, transformation in school structures, capacity building and the development of ‘Action Teams’ to enhance parental involvement in children’s education.