Parents’ participation in influencing students’ learning behaviours in public secondary schools in Kibaha town council in Tanzania

The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ participation in promoting students’ learning behaviours in public secondary schools. The objectives of the study were three folds. First, to examine the forms of parents’ participation in enhancing students’ learning behaviours: Secondly, to examine the strategies used by school administration in enhancing students’ learning behaviours and thirdly, to explore the challenges facing parents’ in promoting students’ learning behaviours. The study was qualitative in nature and employed a case study design which involved 50 study participants. The sample included the District Secondary Education Officer, head of schools, teachers, students and parents. Data were collected through face to face interview, focus group discussions and documentary review. The following are the main findings of the study. Firstly, the study found out that forms of parents’ participation include: support at home, buying school uniforms, learning materials, supervision of home works, and ensuring that students are learning in a conducive environment. Secondly, the study revealed various strategies indicating participation of parents in enhancing students’ learning, including: attending regular meetings held in the schools, making follow ups on the students’ progress and visiting students while at school. Thirdly, study identified challenges facing school administration in students enhancing students learning behaviour, namely: low level of parents’ attending school meetings, low level of education and income. The study recommends that the school administration, parents, students and the entire community should create an active partnership in providing education to enhance students’ learning behaviours. The school administration should also strengthen dialogue between the school and community.