Influence of Parental Education on Decision-Making Factors for Choosing Fee-levying Higher Education Institutes among Computer Science Undergraduates in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The choice of a fee-levying higher education institute (HEI) is critical for students as it can significantly impact their future. However, research indicates that the process students follow to select an HEI is complex and is carried out in several stages. Hence parents often become involved in the selection process to help their children make the right choice. With the rising number of fee-levying HEIs, the higher education sector has become highly competitive and institutes invest heavily in strategies to attract not only students but also parents. Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s growing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has resulted in a rise in the enrolments of undergraduates majoring in computer science (CS). Hence, the main objective of this study was to determine if parental education influences the key determinants namely, internal characteristics of students, institute-specific factors, and communication methods used by HEIs, shaping Sri Lankan students’ choice of a fee-levying HEI for CS degrees. The study used a quantitative approach, and data was collected from 510 students studying at eight fee-levying HEIs using the survey method. The results of the study revealed that neither fathers’ nor mothers’ education has an impact on any of the three key determinants. Hence, HEIs can consider this outcome when formulating their student enrolment strategies. Further research is also suggested with samples that include a higher percentage of students having parents with higher education and parents of students from other disciplines besides CS before generalising this outcome to the higher education sector of Sri Lanka.