The problems that parents face when they try to involve themselves in their child's schooling

Abstract

This case study aims to explore the problems involved in the establishment of home school links and to find ways and means to overcome the obstacles, which are weakening home-school bonds. The site of the study is a Maltese Primary 'B' State school in a village situated at the centre of the island. It is based on a series of interviews with nine parents, nine pupils, six teachers and the head of school. The parents' complaints were related to lack of time available for them to contact teachers and about the insufficient information about their children's schooling. The Head and the teachers also voiced their complaints that some parents have only the interest of their children at heart and others misunderstand the objectives of the school because of their obsession that teachers prefer some pupils at the expense of others. These contradictory perspectives of the teachers and the parents are analysed. Moreover, we explored the impact on the pupils as a result of problematic relationships between home and school. This study provides suggestions about how to enhance parental involvement. The constraints, which the teachers and parents live in are considered but the emphasis is on how the two sides can negotiate their partnership. In this way the pupils, who are the ultimate consumers of the educational system, derive better schooling, This qualitative project does not give a definite answer to the complex issue of parental involvement. However, it throws light about how home-school bonds can be strengthened in the future.