The involvement of parents in the learning of their children at a private school in Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

This study focused on parental involvement in the learning of children at a private school in Windhoek. Nine parents with children at the Private School were used as participants. This was a qualitative study where semi-structured interviews were used. Findings were that parental involvement leads to children’s academic achievement, enhances children’s self-esteem, encourages children’s participation in sports, and strengthens relationships between parents and teachers thereby facilitating the development of the school. Ways of parental involvement examined included helping with homework, attending parent meetings, and providing children with resources. Barriers to parental involvement included lack of time, economic challenges, lack of understanding of what parental involvement entails and lack of transport. The study established that parental involvement can be achieved through addressing barriers to parental involvement by educating parents on parental involvement and through creating a conducive environment at school level for parents to be involved.