Authors: Doris Wanchia (Cameroon), Zeinab Tahir Hamad Mohamed (Sudan), Charlotte Kubjane (South Africa), Bougna Koné (Senegal) | Published on 13 November 2025
Question: How can we encourage parental involvement in education to the benefit of our students?
Answer: Communicate, encourage volunteering, welcome parents and their feedback.
‘A school without parental involvement is like a garden left unattended — the seeds may sprout, but without care and nurturing, they struggle to grow strong.’
Current situation
Parental involvement is a critical factor in enhancing student success. However, you may notice that this involvement varies significantly within your schools. Many parents want to support their children's education, but their level of engagement often depends on the community they’re in. Some parents are very active, attending meetings and helping with homework, while others may feel more disconnected. Communication between you and the families can sometimes be challenging, but there are things you can do to strengthen those connections and improve your students’ experience of learning.
Barriers to parental involvement
- Time constraints: you may find that many parents struggle to attend school events due to work commitments.
- Lack of understanding: some parents may be unsure how to support their children academically or engage with the school.
- Lack of confidence: some parents may feel unqualified to assist with homework or educational activities, especially if they are unfamiliar with current teaching methods or curricula.
- Previous negative experiences: if parents had poor experiences in school themselves, they might hesitate to engage with the educational system, fearing that their children will face similar challenges.
- Culture: language barriers and different cultural expectations can create disconnects between parents and schools.
Recommendations for you
While some factors are beyond your control, here are actionable recommendations to enhance parental involvement:
- Organise workshops: host workshops that educate parents on topics such as effective study habits or the curriculum.
- Create home-school links in the students’ tasks: Set your students tasks which involve them finding out about their families.
- Regular communication: establish consistent communication channels to keep parents informed about their child's progress and school activities.
- Create a welcoming environment: foster a welcoming atmosphere in your school to encourage parental visits and participation.
- Encourage volunteering: invite parents to volunteer for school events or in your classroom.
- Feedback opportunities: create avenues for parents to provide feedback on school policies and their child's educational experience.
Questions for Reflection
Consider these questions to foster discussion:
- How can you better engage parents in their child's education?
- What do parents need to know to support their children's learning?
- In what ways can you communicate more effectively with parents?
Conclusion
By addressing barriers and implementing these recommendations, you can foster stronger partnerships with parents, ultimately supporting student success. Engaging parents in meaningful ways builds a collaborative community and helps to enrich the educational experience for all students.