Choosing a high school: Parental considerations

Chris Denhere

Department of Teacher Education, University of Venda, South Africa.

Accepted 25^th May, 2012

The study investigated the parents’ considerations when choosing a high school for their children in Masvingo, Zimbabwe and its environs. The participants (N=72) were parents/guardians whose children were in grade seven and were about to enroll at a high school. Data were collected through a 12-item questionnaire. The results revealed that good examinations results (100%), school charging affordable fees (81%), good discipline (75%), adequate facilities (73%), and religiosity (70%) were the five major factors that influenced parental choice of the high school. Recommendations by the primary school (17%), affluence of the school (19%) and single sex school (24%) were the three least considered factors. The study recommended that school authorities should consider parental considerations if their institutions were to serve the interests of the parents.

Key words: Choices, high school, rational theory, small choice set, decision making.

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