Parent involvement in public primary schools in Kenya

Abstract

Parental involvement in education in Kenya is mainly limited to financial contributions and teacher-parent meetings. Given the high cost of education and the need to improve quality of education, parental involvement is important. The effectiveness of educational restructuring initiatives therefore would depend on more comprehensive parental involvement in schools. A literature study investigated existing programmes and models of parental involvement in schools as well as legislation as pertaining to parental involvement in Kenya. A qualitative design utilising Epstein’s model of parental involvement was used to examine parental involvement practice in public primary schools in Kenya. Accordingly, a qualitative approach within purposefully selected schools study was conducted. The findings suggested that parental involvement activities in the study sample fitted Epstein’s typology comparatively well. Based on the findings recommendations for the improvement of parental involvement practice were presented.