Towards Enhancing Parental Engagement in Their Children Early Learning Opportunities

Does Asset-Based Approach Matter in Tanzanian Pre-Primary Education?

Authors

  • Johnson Kojo The University of Dodoma
  • Jacob Seni The University of Dodoma
  • Placidius Ndibalema The University of Dodoma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31949/ijeir.v4i1.10123

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how asset-based approach (ABA) can be used to enhance parental engagement in Tanzanian pre-primary schools. The study was qualitative in nature in which phenomenographical design was adopted. It consisted of six focus group sessions with a total 34 parents. Individual interviews with five pre-primary school teachers, four head teachers and five chair persons of the school committees was conducted in the six selected schools in Nzega district, Tabora region, Tanzania. Transcripts were thematically analysed using simultaneous inductive open coding and deductive coding using TCABA framework as an illustrative lens. The results revealed that the shift towards asset-based approach was felt to offer better opportunities in enhancing parental engagement in children’s early learning. However, a significant number participants were unable to provide specific examples of the assets that parents were possessing which could be utilised to support children’s learning in pre-primary schools. The results further   showed that using asset-based approach was affected or enabled by different factors, which included community perspectives, lack of time time/resources and awareness. The results support the need for intervention programmes that empower parents to effectively utilise their skills, knowledge, and talents that are essential for supporting their children’s learning at home and in pre-primary schools.

Keywords:

Asset, Early learning opportunities, Parental engagement, Parents’ asset

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Agdal, R., Midtgård, I. H., & Meidell, V. (2019). Can asset-based community development with children and youth enhance the level of participation in health promotion projects? A qualitative meta-synthesis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193778

Allar, I., Elliott, E., Jones, E., Kristjansson, A. L., Taliaferro, A., & Bulger, S. M. (2017). Involving families and communities in CSPAP development using asset mapping. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 88(5), 7–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2017.1280439

Astbury, J., Schafheutle, E., Brown, J., & Cutts, C. (2021). The current and potential role of community pharmacy in asset-based approaches to health and wellbeing: a qualitative study. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 43(5), 1257–1264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-021-01244-z

Bartoli, B., Joshi, C., & Wolf, S. (2022). Parental engagement in ghanaian pre-primary schools: a mixed-methods study. International Journal of Educational Research, 112(1), 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.101926

Blamey, A., & Mackenzie, M. (2007). Theories of change and realistic evaluation: peas in a pod or apples and oranges? Evaluation, 13(4), 439–455. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356389007082129

Brand, S. L., Quinn, C., Pearson, M., Lennox, C., Owens, C., Kirkpatrick, T., Callaghan, L., Stirzaker, A., Michie, S., Maguire, M., Shaw, J., & Byng, R. (2019). Building programme theory to develop more adaptable and scalable complex interventions: Realist formative process evaluation prior to full trial. Evaluation, 25(2), 149–170. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356389018802134

Chen, X., Gao, M., Xu, Y., Wang, Y., & Li, S. (2018). Associations between personal social capital and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a probability sample of urban residents in China. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 64(7), 668–678. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764018803123

Coryn, C. L. S., Noakes, L. A., Westine, C. D., & Schröter, D. C. (2011). A systematic review of theory-driven evaluation practice from 1990 to 2009. American Journal of Evaluation, 32(2), 199–226. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098214010389321

Couch, S. R., & Kalainoff, M. Z. (2024). Transforming a national invention education program through a strength-based approach. TechTrends, 68(3), 589–609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-024-00953-2

Dabengwa, I. M., Young, S., & Ngulube, P. (2023). Rigour in phenomenological and phenomenography studies: A scoping review of library and information science research. Library and Information Science Research, 45(1), 101219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2022.101219

Daruwalla, N., MacHchhar, U., Pantvaidya, S., D’Souza, V., Gram, L., Copas, A., & Osrin, D. (2019). Community interventions to prevent violence against women and girls in informal settlements in Mumbai: The SNEHA-TARA pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials, 20(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3817-2

Deng, S. (2019). Breaking the cycle: an asset-based family intervention for poverty alleviation in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 29(1), 82–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185385.2019.1571943

Eisenbruch, M. (2018). Violence Against Women in Cambodia: Towards a culturally responsive theory of change. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 42(2), 350–370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-017-9564-5

Epstein, J. L. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships in teachers’ professional work. Journal of Education for Teaching, 44(3), 397–406. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2018.1465669

Garoutte, L. (2018). The sociological imagination and community-based learning: using an asset-based approach. Teaching Sociology, 46(2), 148–159. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092055X17750453

Ghate, D. (2018). Developing theories of change for social programmes: co-producing evidence-supported quality improvement. Palgrave Communications, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-018-0139-z

Gioia, D. A., Corley, K. G., & Hamilton, A. L. (2013). Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive research: notes on the gioia methodology. Organizational Research Methods, 16(1), 15–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428112452151

Gonzalez, C., Morawska, A., & Haslam, D. M. (2018). Enhancing initial parental engagement in interventions for parents of young children: a systematic review of experimental studies. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 21(3), 415–432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-018-0259-4

Guest, G., Namey, E., Taylor, J., Eley, N., & McKenna, K. (2017). Comparing focus groups and individual interviews: findings from a randomized study. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(6), 693–708. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2017.1281601

Han, F., & Ellis, R. A. (2019). Using phenomenography to tackle key challenges in science education. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(JUN), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01414

Iruka, I. U., DeKraai, M., Walther, J., Sheridan, S. M., & Abdel-Monem, T. (2020). Examining how rural ecological contexts influence children’s early learning opportunities. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 52, 15–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2019.09.005

Islam, A. (2019). Parent–teacher meetings and student outcomes: Evidence from a developing country. European Economic Review, 111, 273–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2018.09.008

Jones, B., Nagraj, S., & English, M. (2022). Using theory of change in child health service interventions: A scoping review protocol. Wellcome Open Research, 7, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17553.1

Kambona, W. (2024). Parents’ perspectives on homework practices in pre-primary school children in Tanzania: a phenomenological analysis. Educational Dimension, 10, 2–23. https://doi.org/10.55056/ed.720

Kigobe, J., Ghesquière, P., Umbi, M. N., & Leeuwen, K. Van. (2018). Parental involvement in educational activities in Tanzania : understanding motivational factors Parental involvement in educational activities in Tanzania : Educational Studies, 00(00), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2018.1509780

Kigobe, J., Van den Noortgate, W., Ligembe, N., Ogondiek, M., Ghesquière, P., & Van Leeuwen, K. (2021). Effects of a Parental Involvement Intervention to Promote Child Literacy in Tanzania: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 14(4), 770–791. https://doi.org/10.1080/19345747.2021.1931998

Komba, A. (2011). The role of forms of family capital in children’s engagement with primary school: Implications for poverty alleviation through education in Tanzania. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.06.003

Levickis, P., Murray, L., Lee-Pang, L., Eadie, P., Page, J., Lee, W. Y., & Hill, G. (2022). Parents’ perspectives of family engagement with early childhood education and care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early Childhood Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01376-5

Mandarakas, M. (2014). Teachers and parent-school engagement: international perspectives on teachers’ preparation for and views about working with parents. Global Studies of Childhood, 4(1), 21–27. https://doi.org/10.2304/gsch.2014.4.1.21

Mannell, J., Tevaga, P., Heinrich, S., Fruean, S., Chang, S. L., Lowe, H., Brown, L. J., Vaczy, C., Tanielu, H., Cowley-Malcolm, E., & Suaalii-Sauni, T. (2023). Love Shouldn’t Hurt–E le Sauā le Alofa: Co-designing a theory of change for preventing violence against women in Samoa. Global Public Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2023.2201632

Mason, P., & Barnes, M. (2007). Constructing theories of change: methods and sources. Evaluation, 13(2), 151–170. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356389007075221

Ministry of Education and Culture. (1995). Education and Training Policy. Government Press.

Mligo, I. R. (2017). Parents’ Engagement in early childhood education and care: enhancing child development and community well-being. SciFed Journal of Neuroscience, 1(1).

Msuya, N. H. (2019). The analysis of child marriage and third-party consent in the case of Rebeca Z. Gyumi v Attorney General Miscellaneous Civil Case no 5 of 2016 Tanzania High Court at Dar es Salaam. De Jure, 52(1), 295–315. https://doi.org/10.17159/2225-7160/2019/v52a18

Mtahabwa, L. (2009). Early child development and care in Tanzania: Challenges for the future. Early Child Development and Care, 179(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430600923436

Niklas, F., Cohrssen, C., & Tayler, C. (2016). Improving preschoolers’ numerical abilities by enhancing the home numeracy environment. Early Education and Development, 27(3), 372–383. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2015.1076676

Nyumba, T., Wilson, K., Derrick, C. J., Mukherjee, N., & Nyumba, T. O. (2018). The use of focus group discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9(1), 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12860

Ogunbayo, O. J., Schafheutle, E. I., Cutts, C., & Noyce, P. R. (2015). A qualitative study exploring community pharmacists’ awareness of, and contribution to, self-care support in the management of long-term conditions in the United Kingdom. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 11(6), 859–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2014.12.010

Oxford Policy Management. (2020). EQUIP-Tanzania impact evaluation final endline report. Dar es Salaam.

Ramatea, M. A., & Khanare, F. P. (2021). Improving the well-being of learners with visual impairments in rural Lesotho schools: an asset-based approach. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2021.1890341

Rattenborg, K., MacPhee, D., Walker, A. K., & Miller-Heyl, J. (2019). Pathways to parental engagement: contributions of parents, teachers, and schools in cultural context. Early Education and Development, 30(3), 315–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2018.1526577

Rey-Guerra, C., Maldonado-Carreño, C., Ponguta, L. A., Nieto, A. M., & Yoshikawa, H. (2022). Family engagement in early learning opportunities at home and in early childhood education centers in Colombia. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 58, 35–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.08.002

Rippon, S., & South, J. (2017). Promoting asset based approaches for health and wellbeing. November, 30. http://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/4497/7/Promoting asset based approaches Nov 2017.pdf

Romão, D. M. M., Setti, C., Arruda, L. H. M., de Melo, R. C., de Araujo, B. C., Tan, A. R., DeMaio, P. N., & Kuchenmüller, T. (2023). Integration of evidence into Theory of Change frameworks in the healthcare sector: A rapid systematic review. PLoS ONE, 18(3 March), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282808

Scott, D. L., Sharma, R., Godwyll, F. E., Johnson, J. D., & Putman, T. (2020). Building on strengths to address challenges:an asset-based approach to planning and implementing a community partnership school. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 24(2), 69–84.

Shah, R. W., Troester, J. S., Brooke, R., Gatti, L., Thomas, S. L., & Masterson, J. (2018). Fostering eABCD: Asset-based community development in digital service-learning. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 22(2), 189–222.

Sheridan, S. M., Smith, T. E., Moorman Kim, E., Beretvas, S. N., & Park, S. (2019). A meta-analysis of family-school interventions and children’s social-emotional functioning: Moderators and Components of Efficacy. Review of Educational Research, 89(2), 296–332. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654318825437

Shukia, R., & Marobo, S. (2024). Parental engagement in children’s pre-primary education in marginalized communities in tanzania before and during the COVID-19 Era. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 38(sup1), S61–S76. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2023.2281556

Sobayi, C. (2017). The Role of Parents and Pre-primary Education in Promoting Early Numeracy Development to Young Children in Dar es Salaam.

Stacy, J., Gutierrez, L., & McMillian, D. (2019). Parent University in alternative schools: Asset–based programming for parents of formerly-incarcerated youth. Preventing School Failure, 63(2), 133–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2018.1523127

Stacy, J., Gutierrez, L., Mcmillian, D., Stacy, J., Gutierrez, L., & Mcmillian, D. (2019). Preventing school failure : alternative education for children and youth parent university in alternative schools : Asset – based programming for parents of formerly – incarcerated youth of formerly – incarcerated youth. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 63(2), 133–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2018.1523127

TTU & IE. (2017). Situation analysis and baseline study on early childhood education in Tanzania mainland.

United Republic of Tanzania (1996). Child development policy. Ministry of community development, women affairs and children. Dar es Salaam.

United Nations. (1989). The convention on the rights of the childo Title. Social Policy & Administration, 23(1), 99–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9515.1989.tb00500.x

United Republic of Tanzania. (2014). The education and training policy. MOEVT, Dar es Salaam.

United Republic of Tanzania. (2023). The curriculum and syllabus for pre-primary education. MoEST, Dar es Salaam.

Uwezo. (2017). Are Our Children Learning?Uwezo Tanzania Annual Learning Assessment Report.

Uwezo. (2019). Are our children learning? Uwezo Tanzania annual learning assessment report. Dar es Salaam.

Walker, J. M. T., & Legg, A. M. (2018). Parent-teacher conference communication: a guide to integrating family engagement through simulated conversations about student academic progress. Journal of Education for Teaching, 44(3), 366–380. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2018.1465661

Wolf, S. (2020). “Me I don’t really discuss anything with them”: Parent and teacher perceptions of early childhood education and parent-teacher relationships in Ghana. International Journal of Educational Research, 99(September 2019), 101525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2019.101525

Downloads

Abstract Views : 119
Downloads Count: 138

Published

2025-01-20

How to Cite

Kojo, J., Seni, J., & Ndibalema, P. (2025). Towards Enhancing Parental Engagement in Their Children Early Learning Opportunities: Does Asset-Based Approach Matter in Tanzanian Pre-Primary Education?. International Journal of Educational Innovation and Research, 4(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.31949/ijeir.v4i1.10123

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.