AN ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING PUPIL LEARNING IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF LUSAKA
Date
2018
Authors
Moonga, Brendah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess how community participation can be used as a tool to improve
pupil learning in selected primary schools of Lusaka District. The research design was a case study.
Qualitative methodology was used to collect and analyze data. The methods used were interviews
and focus group discussions. The study applied two sampling methods, simple random and purposive
sampling in coming up with the sample. Purposive sampling was used in selecting Emmasdale zone
of Lusaka due to proximity. Once the zone was selected, all the schools in the zone were numbered.
Four random numbers were then picked to select the participating schools. Once a school was
selected, its head teacher, Parent Teachers Committee chairperson and grade teachers automatically
became part of the sample. Further, simple random method was used to select parents to be
interviewed and participate in the focus group discussions. The data was analyzed thematically bygrouping identical data into themes generated from the research objectives. The research findings
showed that, there was vast evidence that various stakeholders understood the need for their
participation in the education system. There was also clear understanding among stakeholders of what
form this participation ought to take. All stakeholders equally had good knowledge of some of the
challenges and hindrances to community participation in Emmasdale zone. However, one other key
finding of the study was the evident variation in understanding what and how various stakeholders
could and should participate in the education system to improve pupil performance. School authorities
were clear on how parents can help while among parents and community leaders some had no clear
idea while other completely knew nothing and did not care. The research findings also revealed that
the difficulties experienced by parents across all the four schools were as follows: alcoholism, lack
of school policies on parental involvement, parents’ poverty status, illiteracy, lack of understanding,parents’ defensive attitude, lack of cooperation among parents, poor attitude among some pupils and
parents, apathy and high unemployment levels. It was concluded that, the selected schools were all
from densely populated areas with high levels of illiteracy, unemployment and poverty. With
illiteracy, it is expected that there would be little appreciation of education and/ or understanding of
roles that parents and community could play in the system to enhance pupil learning. It is by and large
incumbent on the school authorities to cultivate the knowledge and culture to believe in education
and show them that education is the way for their children to escape the status they themselves are
in. There is also need for vigorous sensitisation programs by schools aimed at enlightening parents
on the value of education and how parents can contribute to improved learning of the children.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Community participation and parent involvement--Schools