PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETENCY BASED CURRICULUMIN KENYA: PERCEIVED CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

ABSTRACT: Parental active involvement in the education of their children is widely assumed to be critical
for successful educational outcomes. Based on Epstein‟s overlapping spheres of influence theory, this paper
explores the perceived challenges and opportunities of this collaboration from the perspectives of Kenyan
parents with children in the early years of schooling.The cross sectional survey design was used involving 335
parents from two selected counties in Kenya – one rural and the other urban. The participants responded to a
questionnaire that sought to establish the barriers parents encountered as they partnered with schools as well as
the strategies, they envisaged would enhance effective parental engagement for healthy academic, emotional and
social development of their children.Results indicated that parents acknowledged the importance of homeschool collaboration. However, lack of time, an absence of induction on the competency-based curriculum,
inadequate skills and knowledge to assist children, lack of resources were found to be the major challenges
parents faced as they partnered with schools. Implications and bespoke strategies for enhancing parental
involvement in the CBC are presented.
Key Words: Parental involvement, challenges, opportunities,competency-based curriculum, educational
outcomes