Causes of poor parental involvement in education activities: case study of a primary school in Gaborone West, Botswana

Abstract

Poor parental involvement in schools and educational activities at basic education level is a concern the world over. Governments have promulgated deliberate educational policies to institute parental involvement through structures commonly known as Parents and Teachers Associations (PTA). Despite this structural approach, many countries including Botswana, experience poor parental involvement in a school located in a low-income township area in Gaborone – Botswana. The study confirms that there is lack of effective parental involvement in that school. One of the major challenges is that school activities and meetings are often held when the majority of the parents are at work. It therefore, recommended that PTA activities be held at a time that suits specific activities and tasks; and that teachers must be encouraged to visit their children’s homes to dialogue with parents on educational issues in order to inspire parents to participate in the education of their children.