Parents’ participation in School Management Shuras (SMS) in Afghanistan: Barriers and opportunities for parental involvement in the public schools Of Ishkshim

Abstract

Mainly I focused on parents’ participation from the perspective of School Management Shuras (SMS) in this study, and the obstacles which parents are encountering in the three schools along with the solutions in Ishkashim, Badakhshan. Rising the current vice of parents in the targeted schools was the purpose of this study for better decision by authorities in terms of parents’ involvement in the research site since parents’ engagement has variety benefits to schools in terms of students’ outcomes, attendance and improvement. In this research, I used qualitative approach through interview guides for the investigation of participants’ thoughts and opinions. Meanwhile, for analysis of the participants’ perception I applied thematic approach. In total, I interviewed eight participants three of them were schools administrators and the rest of them were parents who were the member of SMSs. I have found in the study that currently parents are not participating in SMSs due to the pandemic and political changes in the country. However, they had their contribution before those two factors in the schools. In addition, poverty lack of unawareness, education background and the local traditions were the major challenges for parental involvement in the rural area. Hence, for ensuring their participation, it is suggested that awareness for parents, administrative changes in SMSs and more focus should be done by the authorities in the local level.