Ouerbetrokkenheid by tuiswerk

Abstract

The purpose of the study has been to reflect on parental involvement in the homework of their children from the viewpoint of the available literature, and afterwards a determination of parents' real involvement by means of a questionnaire. At the beginning of the research the question was asked to what extent parents are involved in their children's homework. The research was done at six Afrikaans medium primary schools in Potchefstroom and vicinity. The main conclusion was that parents are not significantly negative towards homework in general. A significant amount of fathers indicated that they see the task of motivating the children and supervising their homework, as strictly that of the mothers. Parents also declared themselves negative in contact the school about homework problems. It was also clear that working parents showed a greater responsibility regarding supervision of their children's homework. Parents feel that schoolwork is too difficult to help their children with homework. Parents with professional and administrative careers as well as tertiary education, in general showed a significant non involvement in their children's homework. It was recommended that pupils should be motivated positively towards homework by means of guidance in the classroom and that parent evenings should be exploited to their maximum so as to enlighten parents in a greater involvement in their children's homework and their motivating responsibilities in this matter. Guidelines regarding parental involvement in children's homework is essential. The last word on parental involvement has certainly not been spoken. This study was only aimed at parents of senior primary school pupils in one town. A study of the involvement of parents of secondary school pupils would be most significant. This field is still open for further research. Parental involvement in their children's homework should never be underestimated -as was seen from this study.