Students’ Performance and Parents’ Involvement at Secondary School Level in Zanzibar. A Case of Micheweni Secondary Schools in Pemba

This study examined the extent to which limited parents’ involvement and participation relate to poor performance of students of secondary schools in Micheweni District, Pemba. The study was conducted in five secondary schools in Micheweni district namely; Micheweni, Kiuyu, Chwaka Tumbe, Msuka and Makangale involving 124 respondents out of 1403 targeted population of the study. The study employed Descriptive Research design with qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Interview and questionnaires were used as tools for data collection. Data were analysed using computer software and thematically. The study findings were presented in description, tables, charts and graphs. The study found that many parents were not well involved by the schools in education affairs of their children. Where parents were involved, their participation was so limited. Factors which contributed to such a circumstance included - poverty, lack of awareness, traditional culture, education irrelevance and poor communication between school and home. The gap that existed between home and school affected the learning spirit and progress of the students’ performance in their national examinations. Therefore, poor performance of students in Micheweni secondary schools was highly contributed by limited involvement and participation of parents into the schooling of their children. On the basis of the findings, it was concluded that Poor Performance in Micheweni Secondary Schools is contributed by Parents’ limited Involvement and participation. Finally, the study recommended that school administration, education officers and Ministry of Education to employ appropriate strategies and mechanisms such as Teachers Parents Associations, Academic Day, Community Awareness Forums, School Community Projects and Students Home works for maximum involvement and participation of parents to education affairs of their children