Role of parental involvement in student discipline: Insights from community secondary schools in the local government authorities of Tanzania

Abstract

Parental involvement in the management of students’ discipline is crucial for the improvement of education delivery and management. This paper investigated the role of parents’ involvement in managing students’ discipline taking references from community secondary schools in Dodoma City of Tanzania. The study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to gather information from parents, community secondary school heads, head prefects, and ward education officers. Three methods were used to collect the data: surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews. The results showed that parents’ involvement in discipline management is limited and complicated by several issues, including a lack of cooperation, communication, and trust between parents and school administration. The paper identified that the strategies used by school administration to include parents in the management of discipline comprise the creation of parent committees, information sharing and favorable school environments. The study recommends that school management should involve parents in the formulation and implementation of school rules and regulations, and ensure that they are clear, consistent, and fair to all.