Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 16 (3): 378-382, 2013

ISSN 1990-9233
IDOSI Publications, 2013
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2013.16.03.11655
Corresponding Author: Iqbal Ahmad, Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
378
Effect of Community Participation on School Community Relations
Hamdan Said, Iqbal Ahmad, Lokman Tahir,
Roslee Ahmad and Zainudin Hassan
Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract: Schools are expected to prepare and educate the children for a changing and a dynamic world.
To make the society a better place there should be a closer cooperation and collaboration between school and
the community. However, now-e-days, it is noticed with great concern that most of the schools are run in
isolation. Ironically, parents and community think that it is only the job of teachers to educate students and
prepare them for life. This thinking has further created a distance between school and families. The purpose of
this study was to fill this gap. For this purpose the study investigated the relationship between community
participation and school community relation. Furthermore, the study examined the three important dimensions
of school community relations, that is, parenting, communication and volunteering. The participants were 300
government secondary school teachers who completed teacher questionnaire surveys. The data were
statistically computed to determine correlation between community participation and school community
relation utilizing ANOVA and Linear Regression Analysis. Results of the study indicated a highly positive
correlation between community participation and school community relations.
Key words: Effect Community Participation School community relations
INTRODUCTION children come to get knowledge only; rather it is a
School community relationship is given a great deal community within a larger community and it is the mirror
of attention in the present day. Studies have indicated of the feelings, attitudes, values and modes of behaviors
that positive interaction between school and community of the community [8, 9]. School is charged by the society
promotes a vibrant school environment [1]. In the to properly perform this duty in the best interest of the
developed countries this concept is known as Family community. Education is not an isolated activity. It is
and School Together, which focuses on building closely related to life and community. To make the society
relationships within the families, across families, with worth living schools and the communities should work
schools and with communities [2]. Under this together. They are naturally depended on each other.
concept, school, family and community work together. If this contact is removed, both the process and purpose
The emerging family friendly schools where families and of education would remain ineffective and meaningless
schools work together develop awareness and [10].
understanding regarding students academic needs and Many benefits are associated with the practice of
requirements [3-5]. school community collaborations. For example community
Present day schools are expected to be alive to members can guide the children. This will inculcate a
parents aspirations and students educational needs [6]. positive thinking in their children when they see their
School curriculum should reflect community aspirations parents participating in the school matters. The children
and ideals in life. Its method of work must be according will own the school and work hard. Jointly schools and
to their wishes and standards. It should reflect all that is community can work for the welfare of the child by
significant in the life of the community. Such school is making the parent teacher associations really effective
termed as people school. It must serve the community in [11]. However, now-e-days, it is noticed with some
which it is situated. It should be regarded as the capital of disappointment most of the schools are run in isolation.
the community [7]. School is not a place where the Ironically, parents or community think that it is the job of
process of community living. School is thus a small
Community Participation
Parenting
Communicating
Volunteering
Middle-East J. Sci. Res., 16 (3): 378-382, 2013
379
teachers only to educate students and prepare them
for life. The reason is that community places much value
on doing well in examination. This thinking has further
served to keep parents away from the schooling process
[12, 13]. Despite of this, many educators and parents still
believe that developing relationship between school and Fig. 1: Research Framework
community is the backbone of successful education.
Hence, there should be a close interaction between these This can bring two benefits both for the teachers and
two groups, because effective development of the the parents. First, when teacher parent relationship is
personality of the child depends on collaboration between formed early, the teacher gets more time to understand
the community and the school [5, 14]. the strength and weaknesses of the child and the parents
Education is a social affair. Schools are expected by get to know more about the teacher and the child has a
the society to train and properly bring up the youth to better chance of being helped both by the teacher and
make them prepare for life. Education is not an isolated the school [14, 24]. Based on literature review the
activity. It is related to life and the community. Schools following framework was developed for this study. The
are considered an idealized epitome of social life. They are framework was designed based on the community
also called as training homes for the children as well as participation model of Uemura [25]. He has discussed
the parents On the other hand community is dynamic in about different types of community participation in
nature [4, 15]. Schools are expected to prepare and education process: parenting, volunteering and
educate the children for a changing and a dynamic communicating. This study also measures community
environment. To make the society a better place there participation as a predictor that influences these three
should be a closer cooperation and collaboration dimensions.
between the school and the community. Both closely
depend on each other for their growth and development Research Objectives: The main objective of this
[16, 17]. research study was to investigate the relationship
School community relationship transforms schools between community participation and school
into the miniature communities where the children learn community relations. Specifically the objectives of
through interactions. When schools and community are the study were:
actively involved in the learning process of the child, the
child will learn self-discipline, cooperation and leadership To examine the relationship between community
[18, 19]. Forging school community relations may provide participation and parenting.
opportunities to the children to come in contact with the To examine the relationship between community
immediate environment and the community life around participation and communicating.
them. For this aim, school curriculum can be organized in To examine the relationship between community
such a way that the children are able to link and relate the participation and volunteering.
information and knowledge gained at schools to their
daily life experiences [10, 20, 21]. Research Questions: The present research study
The most successful schools are those which have attempted to answer the following research questions:
close relations with the communities in aspects like joint
formulation of aims, determination of goals and values, Is there a relationship between community
selection of teachers and sharing of responsibilities [22]. participation and school community relations?
There are different ways of forging relationship between
the schools and the community. One of such ways is More Specific Sub-questions Were:
parent teacher association. Successful parent teacher
association can play a crucial role in promoting successful Is there a relationship between community
community school relationship. In this regard teachers participation and parenting?
and school administrators may develop strategies to Is there a relationship between community
encourage interaction with the community and the participation and communicating?
parents [13, 23]. School community relationship should Is there a relationship between community
start from the very beginning of the school session. participation and volunteering?
Middle-East J. Sci. Res., 16 (3): 378-382, 2013
380
Hypotheses of the Study: Based on the research Sampling Procedure: The teachers were randomly
objectives and questions the following hypotheses sampled. Simple random sample according to Gulab
were formulated. [26] enables the researchers to collect data objectively
There a relationship between community population has the same chance of being selected
participation and parenting. which provides a wider opportunity for the researcher
There a relationship between community to reach out to a good representative number of
participation and communicating. subjects which indirectly enhances the reliability of
There a relationship between community the data.
participation and volunteering.
MATERIALS AND METHOD examine the effects of community participation on school
This research study was designed based on the Analysis of the data is presented in the below tables
following method and procedures. followed by findings and conclusions.
Design: Using a correlation design, this study surveyed Correlation Analysis: Correlation analysis was
perceptions of 300 government secondary school conducted to examine the relationship between
teachers in Khyber Pakhtukhwa, Pakistan. Questionnaire independent variable (community participation) and the
was used for data collection from the respondents on dependent variables (parenting, communicating and
Fiver Point Likert Scale staring from strongly disagree volunteering) as the three dimensions of school
to strongly agree. Statistical software SPSS was used community relations.
to analyze the data. To see the relationship between Table 1 show that community participation is
the variables, ANOVA was applied along with Linear significantly positively correlated school community
Regression Analysis. relations and significant at p value of 0.01. Community
Participants: Participants for this study were 300 relationship with parenting, communicating and
secondary school teachers in Malakand division of volunteering and Pearson correlation values and
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. significant at p value of 0.01.
as in this type of sampling every member of the
Analysis of Data: The purpose of this study was to
community relations in government secondary schools.
participation has also a significantly positive
Table 1: Correlation Analysis of Community Participation, Parenting, Communicating and Volunteering
Variables Community Participation Parenting Communicating Volunteering
Community participation 1
Parenting 0.783* 1
Communicating 0. 67* 0.741* 1
Volunteering 0.574* 0. 69* 0.72* 1
*Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Table 2: Regression Analysis of Community Participation and Parenting
Variables R square t-value Coefficient F-value P value
Teacher Training 0. 574 14.33 0.62 289.0 0.00
Table 3: Regression Analysis of Community Partcipation and Communicating
Variables R square t-value Coefficient F-value P value
Teacher Training 0. 661 17.33 0. 78 274.1 0.00
Table 4: Regression Analysis of Community Participation and Volunteering
Variables R square t-value Coefficient F-value P value
Teacher Training 0. 772 16.31 0. 78 277.0 0.00
Middle-East J. Sci. Res., 16 (3): 378-382, 2013
381
Regression Analysis: Regression analysis was measured aimed to examine the effects of community participation
by testing the research hypotheses. The results for each parenting, communicating and volunteering as the
variable are discussed as under. dimensions of school community relations. Major findings
H : There is a positive relationship between community
1
participation and parenting. The study found that there was a significantly
Table 2 show the value of coefficient beta is participation and parenting. It can be inferred
calculated as 0.62 which shows a significantly positive from this finding that community participation in
relationship between community participation and education improves parenting of parents. Parents
parenting. The value of R-square is calculated as 0. 574 come to know about the various aspects of their
showing 57.4% variation in the dependant variable children schooling and the needs to collaborate with
(parenting) is explained by independent variable schools [19].
(community participation). The models goodness of fit The study found that there was a significantly
is shown by F-value that is 289.0. Hence, H was accepted positive correlation between community
1
and it is confirmed that community participation is participation and communicating. It can be inferred
significantly positively correlated with parenting. from this finding that community participation in
H : There is a Positive Relationship between Community schools and parents. This helps in removal of
2
Participation and Communicating mistrust between school and the parents. It also
Table 3 show the value of coefficient beta is together for the development of the students in
measured as 0.78 which shows a significantly positive collaboration [10].
relationship between community participation and The study also found that there was a significantly
communicating. The value of R-square is calculated as positive correlation between community participation
0.661 showing 66.1% variation in the dependant variable and volunteering. It can be inferred from this finding
(community participation) is explained by independent that community participation develops sense of
variable (communicating). The models goodness of fit ownership among parents and students. This helps
is shown by F-value that is 274.1. Therefore H is in developing good relationship between home and
2
accepted and it is confirmed that teacher training has school [11].
significantly positive relationship with communication
skills. CONCLUSIONS
H : There is a Positive Relationship between Community On the basis of this research study it can be
3
Participation and Volunteering concluded that community relationship transforms
The value of co-efficient beta is calculated as children learn through interactions. When schools and
0.78 which shows a significantly positive relationship community are actively involved in the learning process
between community participation and volunteering. of the child, the child will learn self-discipline, cooperation
The value of R-square is 0.772 showing 77.2% variation in and leadership.
the dependant variable (community participation) is The study further concludes that forging school
explained by independent variable (volunteering). community relations provides wider opportunities to the
The models goodness of fit is shown by F-value that is children to come in contact with the immediate
277.0. Therefore, H is accepted and it is confirmed environment and the community life around them.
3
that community participation is significantly positively Community participation in education inculcates a
correlated with volunteering. positive thinking in students when they see their parents
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the school and work hard. Jointly schools and community
The purpose of this study was to investigate teacher associations really effective.
correlation between community participation and The study also concludes that education is not an
teachers school community relations. The study further isolated activity. It is closely related to life and
of the study are as follows;
positive correlation between community
education also improves communication between
helps the parents and schools in working
schools into the miniature communities where the
participating in the school matters. The children will own
can work for the welfare of the child by making the parent
Middle-East J. Sci. Res., 16 (3): 378-382, 2013
382
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