The role of parental involvement in children’s academic achievement in a primary in state of Johor

Abstract

Parents are the closest people and role models for children to learn. Even words and deeds of parents can affect the lives of children. Therefore, parents play an important role in their children’s growth and lives and learning including children’s academic. Parental involvement in children’s learning not only helpful but also improve children’s academic achievement. However, the finding of past research shows that parental involvement in children's academic achievement is limited in primary school. Most of the parents usually only participate in parents day or sports day. Moreover, the research on the role of parental involvement in primary school is limited. A case study design with an in-depth interview was used to explore the role of parental involvement in children's academic achievement. A total of 6 parents whose children were studying in Year 4 and from the same class of primary school in district of Kluang in Johor state were participate in this current study. Thematic analysis was used to analysis the data obtained from the participants. Most parents were aware that parents played an important role in participating in their children's academic achievement. Therefore, they were willing to spend time to accompany their children completing homework, took appropriate methods to teach their children and carry out some useful activities with their children to improve their academic achievement. In addition, parents often communicated with school teachers or other parents to share their experiences in teaching their children to help children improved their academic performance. They believed that parents’ participation in their children’s academic performance would have positive effects on their children’s learning attitudes. Therefore, they would continue to participate in their children's academic work to lay a good foundation in primary school and improve children's interest in learning. Only a parent reported that because of work, she did not have time to monitor her son’s homework. She also reported that she would try not to participate her child's academic work if her child was able to cope with homework. In conclusion, parents played an important role and influenced on their children’s academic achievement. Parents had to take up the responsibility of parenting and teaching children, so as to help children have best performance in their academic and a good conduct in their character.