Educators’ experiences on parental involvement towards learners with learning barriers: a case study of a high school in Mooi River.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore parental involvement towards learners with learning barriers. This is a qualitative study that was carried out in one of the rural schools in Mooi River, under Umgungundlovu District. Purposive sampling is the sampling technique that was used to select the participants, which were the educators. Data was generated using questionnaires with open-ended questions and focus group interview for further probing questions, and data was analysed using thematic analysis. This study was aligned to the interpretivist paradigm and also guided by Epstein’s theory of overlapping sphere model. The findings in this study clearly indicated that parental involvement is an issue in this school and the educators are not well equipped in order to support learners with learning barriers. The findings further indicated that educators are willing to learn, however the parents as well should be taught about the importance of their involvement in their children’s education regardless of the hindering factors that hinders their involvement. It was then recommended that the Department of Basic Education should include in their plans building more special needs schools and also design more workshops for both parents and educators, which will help them develop necessary skills.