Parental Involvement in the Management of School Programmes: A Case of PEDP in Temeke Municipality

The purpose of this study was to investigate parental involvement in management of school activities. Objectives of the study are to identify and assess the school activities in which parents were involved, to examine methods employed to involve parents, and to identify challenges which uncounted by involving parents. The study utilized semi-structured interviews, focused group discussion and documentary review methods. The population included all primary schools in Temeke Municipal involving 48 respondents; including parents, Head teachers and Education officials selected through purposive or stratified random as a sampling techniques. Data were analyzed qualitatively and presented descriptively. The study found that parents were involved in school through school meetings, enrollment campaign and physical contributions. Also, parents were involved in various activities such as planning, mobilization of financial resources, building classrooms, buying teaching and learning materials, furniture and fund raising. However, the findings shows that, parents do not get involved in monitoring and follow up the learning process due to lack of cooperation with teachers, lack understanding and unclear identification of activities of parents involved. It is therefore, the study found that, parent involvement were not effective. Basing on findings, the study recommended for the central government to transfer authorities and power to parents, to make clear identification of activities in which parents are needed to be involved, and school create cooperative environment for parent’s participation. Therefore, parents should understand their responsibilities, power of decision-making and committed in school activities for the effectiveness involvement