Parental involvement in primary schools : case studies in state and private schools

Abstract

This study sets out to investigate how Parental Involvement differs in Independent, State, and Church Schools. Insight is given to the origins and development of Parental Involvement, with detailed references to the history of Education in Malta and how this influenced parent-teacher relationships. The research was carried out through questionnaires for parents, teachers and pupils, and through interviews with Headteachers and Education Authorities. The qualitative and quantitative methods were spread over fifteen primary schools, coming from different social milieux, aiming to compare how the latter influence parental participation in children's education. One is led to ask : What does Parental Involvement really imply? Is the National Minimum Curriculum flexible enough to incorporate this issue? Are schools sensible enough about what parental participation entails? This study brings to light the responses to such questions, as well as the actual level of Parental Involvement and measures that could be taken to improve this situation.