Not all in the same boat : the impact of parental involvement on children’s education in the context of school closure between March–June 2020

Abstract

This dissertation sets out to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational achievements of secondary school students while taking into consideration the parental cultural, social and economic capital. Six separate semi-structured interviews were conducted involving the parents, and then with each of their sons. The students range between Grade 8 and Grade 10 and currently attend a Church School for Boys. Furthermore, each of the parents present their thoughts about their son’s learning, mainly during the school closures of 2020 and 2021, and describe ways in which they personally involve themselves in their son’s education. Also, students were asked about their online learning experiences and any help which they received from their parents and teachers during the school closure. In addition, enquiries about the parents’ economic capital, extra-curricular activities and outings which they participate in were put forward. Feedback received by the interviewees corresponds to the Literature Review. Thus, it was concluded that low socio-economic status (SES) students mostly suffered and fell further behind with their education because of the pandemic hitting the country. This was mainly the result of not having a family who possessed the necessary form of capital to help them improve their learning and succeed. Parents were found to care and prioritise their son’s learning by offering support and using any available means. However, middle and upper-class parents, being highly qualified, knowledgeable and willing to assist their child, managed to provide better resources which enabled them to further succeed. Moreover, school teachers and administrative staff were described as ready to offer help to parents and students. Yet regrettably, some teachers were found to conduct lessons of a lesser quality and were not very attentive towards students who, due to reasons beyond their control, required more help to achieve the necessary learning outcomes.