Parental Engagement in Higher Education: Public University Students’ Perspectives in Kenya

Parental engagement in higher education focuses on collaborative partnerships where parents or guardians and the university work together to foster student’s personal, academic and professional development. Despite the fact that the students at the university are mature and of legal age to make their own decisions, most of them still rely on their parents for support. Parental engagement has been found to have a positive impact on educational outcomes including academic attainment and educational aspirations and progression. This study examined the extent to which university students perceive parental engagement in their academic and personal wellbeing, the factors influencing such engagement, and the activities deemed appropriate for parental engagement. Data was gathered using a questionnaire containing both Likert scale type and open ended questions. A total of 355 students randomly selected from undergraduate students across the four years of the university learning responded to the questionnaires. Focus group discussions were used to elicit detailed views on parental engagement in their studies. The results showed that parents were mostly engaged in celebrating career achievements such as graduations and award ceremonies as well as attending to concerns over health issues and payment of fees. The parent’s social economic status, profession and attitude were identified to be key factors that affect parental engagement in higher education. The students identified program celebration, regular communication, involvement in university decision making processes and mentorship programs as appropriate avenues for parental engagement. The study underscores the importance of balanced parental engagement that fosters student independence while providing necessary support. The study recommends that universities, policymakers, and families seeking to enhance student success develop constructive partnerships through structured collaborative parental engagement programs.