Correlation between Parents Decision Making in School and School-Community Linkages in Public Primary Schools in Eldoret East Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Early childhood educators have traditionally linked school success to parental involvement and they frequently fail to establish strong links between home and school. This study sought to establish the correlation between parents’ decision making in school and school-community linkages in public primary schools in Eldoret East Sub County. The study adopted the Ecological Systems Theory on child’s development within the context of the system of relationships that form his or her environment. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Descriptive survey research design was adopted because it was appropriate for obtaining factual information about the correlation between parent’s decision making in school and school-community linkages in public primary schools in Eldoret East Sub County. This study used a descriptive survey research design. The sample size comprised of 30 head teachers, 240 teachers and 30 school chairpersons. Simple random sampling was used to select teachers, while purposive sampling was used to select head teachers and SMC chairpersons. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS V. 24) computer program and presented using tables. The findings revealed that there was a positive relationship between the decision making and school-community linkages [r=.774, n=264, p<.05]. The study concluded that the parents’ contribution in decision making helps the schools achieve higher grades and test scores, improve their school attendance and increased motivation of pupils. The families play an active involvement in school decisions and governance and the families participate in school as volunteers and committee members. The study recommends that the recognition of the primary roles of parents as vital members of the decision-making body in the schools.