THE ROLE OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN ENHANCING STUDENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

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.