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.
student discipline, involvement, community schools, education, local government authorities
Ali, A. A., Dada, I. T., Isiaka, G. A., & Salmon, S. A. (2014). Types, causes and management of discipline acts among secondary school students in Shomolu local government area of Lagos State. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences, 8(2), 254–287.
Charamba, M. (2016). The management of parent involvement at selected secondary schools in the Zeerust, North West province. Master thesis, University of South Africa]
Coskum, B. & Katitas, S. (2021). Parental involvement in secondary education: Perceptions and potential barriers. African Educational Research Journal 9(2), 418-433.
Edward, G., Ndijuye, L. & Shukia, R. (2022). The role of parental involvements in children’s acquisition of Kiswahili pre-reading skills. Global Education Review 9(3), 19-37.
Kadama, D. L. (2016). Assessment of teachers’ and parents’ role in promoting students discipline in community secondary schools in Kilosa District. Master’s thesis, Mzumbe University.
Kambuga, Y. (2017). The challenges of managing pupils’ discipline in Tanzania schools. Journal of Administrative Management, 13(2), 25–33.
Kaluku, E., Cheloti, S., & Maithya, R., (2020). Parental involvement as determinant factor in managing students’ discipline: Assessing the status of public secondary schools in Machakos Country. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 8(11), 136-150.
Kitigwa, I. & Onyango, D. (2023). The contribution of the community to the development of school projects among ward secondary schools in Magu District, Tanzania. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences, 22(3)
Lukman, A. A., & Hamadi, A. A. (2014). Disciplinary measures in Nigerian senior secondary schools: Issues and prospects. Journal of Research and Method in Education, 4(3), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-04311117
Lutwa, A. K. (2014). Stakeholders’ participation in management of students’ discipline in secondary schools in Gulu district. Master’s thesis, Gulu University.
Mabula, D. & Ligembe, N. (2022). Roles of parents in students’ discipline management at community schools in Misungwi District, Mwanza Region-Tanzania. Journal of Research in Innovation and Implications in Education, 6(3), 36 – 40.
Masabo, L. P., Muchopa, E. D., & Kuoth, W. B. (2017). Parental involvement in school activities in Kibondo District, Tanzania: Challenges and remedies. International Journal of Education and Research, 5(10), 89–96.
McNeal, R. B. (2014). Parent involvement, academic achievement and the role of student attitudes and behaviors as mediators. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 2(8), 564–576. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2014.020805
Msacky, R., Bwana, K., Mpuya, G., Ringo, L., Benaya, R., Sikato, L., & Rayas, G. (2017). Need assessment and available investment opportunities in the health sector: A case of Dodoma Region Tanzania. Business Education Journal, 1(3).
Nyembeke, I. V. (2016). Parental involvement on students’ academic activities in community secondary school in Tanzania. Master’s thesis, Open University of Tanzania.
Ouma, M. A., Simatwa, E. M., & Serem, T. D. (2013). Management of pupil discipline in Kenya: A case study of Kisumu municipality. Education Research, 4(5), 375–385.
Rafif, A. & Dafit, F. (2023). The teachers’ role in forming students discipline characteristics in elementary schools. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Dan Multikulturalisme, 5(1), 647-660. https://doi.org/10.37680/scaffolding.v5i1.2542
Salac, L. & Florida, J. (2022). Epstein model of parental involvement and academic performance of learners. European Online Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 11(2), 379-386.
Seni, P. & Onyango, D. (2021). The roles of parents in enhancing academic performance among public secondary schools at Nyamagana District, Tanzania. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 2(1), 60-67. https://doi.org/10.46606/eajess2021v02i01.0066
Sheldon, S. B., & Epistein, J. L. (2015). Improving student behavior and school discipline with family and community involvement. Education and Urban Society, 35(1), 5–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/001312402237
Simamora, N., N., Putri, W., A., Iqbal, M., Ramadhanti, A., & Rini, E., F., S. (2020). Description of student discipline attitudes at SMP Negeri 16 Jambi City. Lensa: Jurnal Kependidikan Fisika, 8(2), 76-84. https://doi.org/10.33394/j-lkf.v8i2.3175
Simuforosa, M., & Rosemary, N. (2014). Learner indiscipline in schools. Review of Arts and Humanities, 3(2), 79–88.
Sunbal, M. & Jabeen, M. (2021). Parental involvement in children’s schooling: A case for role of social work. Pakistan Journal of Social Research, 3(3), 234-244.
Tekin, A. K., & Ph, D. (2014). Parent involvement revisited: Background, theories, and Models. IJAES, 11(1), 2–13.
Temitayo, O., Nayaya, M. A., & Lukman, A. A. (2013). Management of disciplinary problems in secondary schools: Jalingo Metropolis in Focus. Global Journal of Human Social Science Linguistics & Education, 13(14), 2–14.
URT (2014). The Tanzania Education and Training Policy. Ministry of Education and Vocation Training
URT, (2009). Guidelines for school supervision. Ministry of Education and Vocation Training
Uzoechina, G. O., Akachukwu, E., & Chekume, V. (2015). Teachers’ awareness and usage of non -violent strategies for the maintenance of discipline in Nigerian secondary schools: A situational analysis. Journal of International Education Research, 11(3), 143–152.
Wanja, G. M. (2014). The role of parents in resolving students discipline problems in public secondary schools in Kikuyu Sub County, Kiambu country, Kenya. Master’s thesis, Kenyatta University.
Yaghambe, R. S. (2013). Disciplinary networks in secondary schools: Policy dimensions and children’s rights in Tanzania. Journal of Studies in Education, 3(4), 42–56. https://doi.org/10.5296/jse.v3i4.4167
Yahaya, A., Jamaludin, R., Hashim, S., & Ibrahim, M. A. (2009). Discipline problems among secondary school students in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. European Journal of Social Sciences, 11(4), 659–675.
Richard Msacky. Corresponding author. Department of Business Administration, College of Business Education, Dodoma, Tanzania. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4894-2991. Email: rimsaki@yahoo.com
Leonard Nyanzira. Department of General Management Studies, Tanzania Institute of Accountancy, Mwanza, Tanzania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7247-8893
Robert Renatus Bujiku. Department of Political Studies, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2120-7268
Cite this article:
Msacky, R., Nyanzira, L. & Bujiku, R.R. (2024). Role of parental involvement in student discipline: Insights from community secondary schools in in the local government authorities of Tanzania. International Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 5(2), 77-95. https://doi.org/10.53378/353058
License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.