Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of parental involvement in enhancing
their students' academic achievement in secondary schools of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia
Regional State. Descriptive survey design was employed to conduct the study. Quota
sampling, purposive sampling, stratified random sampling and available sampling techniques
were used to select the sample populations. In order to collect data, the researcher used
questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion and document analysis. Questionnaire was
distributed to 110 parents and 110 students. In addition, interviews were conducted with
supervisors and 6 school principals whereas focus group discussion was conducted with 42
PTA members. To analyze the data, frequency, Pearson correlation, percentage, mean score
and t-test were used. Finding of the study indicates that the involvement of parents in
enhancing their students' academic achievements in most of secondary schools had been low
in most cases, due to low status of involvement, the achievement made were not encouraging
in most areas of involvement and no significant efforts were exerted to strengthen the
capacity of parents. Lack of adequate training to the stake holders, the workload of school
leaders and parents, non-participatory leadership style of school leaders, parents' education
level, parents' economic status, attitudes of teachers and principals were the factors identified
in secondary schools which affected student’s academic achievement. The study also
revealed that there is a positive relation between parental involvement and students’
academic achievement. Although parent participants stated that they would attend parenting
workshops on how to help their children with their school work, if organized by the
Ministry of Education, such workshops are not organized. so, the school leaders should have
to provide parents with workshop and training, motivate and encourage parents and
community representative, provide the performance report to the parents and larger
community, create programs for sharing experience to parents, make the school environment
favorable for participation, make consistent follow up and reporting system to the status of
implementation of education program and activities and also lead the education system in a
proper way.
