Influence of Parent – Teacher Partnership on Pupils’ Education Achievement in Public Primary Schools in Arusha District Council
Asha Y. Msechu
Enaboishu Pre & Primary School, Arusha District Council.
Email: sayaayahaya1234@gmail.com
Christine Mnjokava¹ & Kennedy Omondi Otieno
St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Arusha.
Email: cmnjokava@yahoo.com¹ & omondiken2016@gmail.com
Abstract: The study investigated the influence of parent – teacher partnership on pupils’ education achievement in public primary schools. Specifically, factors for parent – teacher partnership that influence pupils’ education achievement and the possible strategies for improving parent – teacher partnership in order to enhance pupils’ education achievement in public primary schools was assessed. Epstein’s Theory of Overlapping Spheres guided the study. Descriptive survey design and mixed methods approach were adopted. From a targeted population of 1,993, a sample size of 96 respondents (48 teachers, 12 head teachers, 28 parents & 8 WEOs) were selected. Stratified & simple random sampling techniques were employed to select parents& teachers while head teachers& WEOs were purposively sampled. Questionnaires& interview guide assisted in data collection. Content validity was established through research experts whereas reliability coefficient (TQ; r=0.801 & PQ; r=0.920) was generated using Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha method. Credibility & dependability of qualitative data was established through triangulation and peer debriefing. All sources were properly acknowledged to avoid plagiarism. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data in the SPSS version 25 and results were presented in tables, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narrative forms. From the findings, child’s behaviour, child’s academic performance, socio-economic status and cultural beliefs are factors influencing parent- teacher partnership. In conclusion, effective communication and active parental involvement are central to successful family – school partnerships. The study recommends successful collaboration between parents and teachers to shape multiple interconnected factors affecting education achievement of pupils.
