Parental Involvement in Schools: Barriers, Challenges, and Strategies

Parental involvement is essential for students' academic success and the overall effectiveness of schools. However, many schools encounter challenges in fostering consistent parental engagement. This study investigates the factors, barriers, and challenges to parental involvement in schools within the District of Pilar, identifies effective strategies, and discovers an effective school-home partnership program to sustain and enhance this involvement. Utilizing a qualitative research design, the research involved 10 elementary teachers and 11 parents selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interview and Focus Group Discussion using a researcher-made interview guide, with recordings transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that parental availability and constraints, understanding of roles, effective communication, school environment, and support services influenced parental involvement in schools. Teachers identified barriers, including parents’ time constraints, economic hardships, negative past experiences, differences in language and culture, and strict school policies as hurdles to participation. Parents reported challenges such as work and family responsibilities, transportation issues, financial constraints, health concerns, communication barriers, and cultural attitudes, that hindered their engagement in school activities. Nevertheless, participants successfully implemented strategies like flexible communication, relationship-building initiatives, community partnerships, budget planning, and varied involvement strategies. Consequently, School-Home Partnership Enhancement Program was proposed to bridge gaps between schools and families through flexible meetings, improved communication, educational support, and collaborative initiatives. Ultimately, this study underscores the complex interplay of the factors that affect the involvement of parents and highlights effective strategies while addressing significant challenges. It advocates for the proposed program as a means to foster collaboration that benefits the students and the parents, enriching the educational landscape within the district.