Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to explore the practices and problems of parental involvement in students learning in secondary schools of Ilu Aba Bora Zone. There are 14woreds in Ilu Ababora Zone from 14 woredas 4were selected by cluster samling A quantitative research method with descriptive survey design was employed. About 177 students and 177 parents selected using simple random sampling provided data using questionnaire while 8 principals and 8 home room teachers’ selected using purposive sampling were participated in interview. The findings indicated that there is low level of parents’ involvement in students learning (M < 3) in creating conducive home environment, supporting learning at home, communicating, and decision-making. It was found out that low level of parents’ commitment and economic standard; failure to create conducive school environment and providing awareness creation activities to parents and low level of teachers’ readiness to work with parents are among the problems encountered. It was concluded that unless parents provide students with their basic school need and make them focus on school; parents support learning at home; communication means are improved; parents contribute their best regarding school plans, policies, operational and strategic activities; the barriers that challenge parents involvement are minimized; there can never be improved students learning. It was recommended that Woreda education office are advised to properly monitor schools on their level of performance in working with community and organize frequent community mobilization programs; Schools principals are advised to: arrange regular and confortable time for parents meeting to discuss on school issues, assess the practices of school community relations per existing policy, and prepare joint school community relation long and short term plan
