Community participation in the programme of School improvement (PSI): case study of Colombo District in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study investigates the community participation of the schools where the Programme of School Improvement (PSI) is being implemented in Sri Lanka. In particular, this study aims at exploring the nature of community participation in schools. Questionnaires, document surveys and interviews were employed to gather information from principals, deputy principals, teaching staff, parents and past pupils on the governing boards of PSI schools. Descriptive statistical tools and thematic analytical technique were employed to analyze data. Majority of parents and past pupils indicated that the principals and the internal community members of schools are not enthusiastic to welcome ideas, suggestions and criticisms of external community members for the school development. Most of the participant stated that it is not being implemented an effective programme to aware stakeholders about PSI. Majority of Deputy Principals, teachers and parents said that the selections of the members for the governing boards of schools are negatively influenced by the principal. Therefore, the decision making process is not democratic and transparent. The study revealed that the community participation has not been facilitated by a clear, sufficient, and effective mechanism in the school. Although PSI policy encourages greater community participation it has not been necessarily enhanced community participation in the schools. However, it has fairly enhanced the participation of internal community for the school decisions rather than external community.