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.

Parental engagement, Higher education, University students’ support, Student perspectives, Family-university partnerships

1. Akosah-Twumasi, P., Alele, F., Emeto, T. I., Lindsay, D., Tsey, K., & Malau-Aduli, B. S. (2020). “Preparing them for the road”: African migrant parents’ perceptions of their role in their children’s career decision-making. Education Sciences, 10(5), 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10050138 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Arnett, J. J. (2015). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Astin, A. W. (1984). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Personnel, 25(4), 297–308. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Astin, A. W. (1999). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Development, 40(5), 518–529. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Boit, J. M. (2015). Socio-economic distribution and higher education participation of students in Kenya. International Journal of Education, 7(3). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Chen, C., Bian, F., & Zhu, Y. (2023). The relationship between social support and academic engagement among university students: The chain mediating effects of life satisfaction and academic motivation. BMC Public Health, 23, 2368. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17301-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Choge, F., & Edabu, P. (2023). Parental Involvement and Learners’ Academic Performance in Public Primary Schools in Kesses Sub County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. East African Journal of Education Studies, 6(2), 419‐431. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.6.2.1393 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Duma, P. T., & Shawa, L. B. (2019). Including parents in inclusive practice: Supporting students with disabilities in higher education. African Journal of Disability, 8, a592. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v8i0.592 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Epstein, J. L. (2011). School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools (2nd ed.). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Esau, J. C. (2018). Student perceptions on the role of parental involvement in the success of TVET students: A case study (Master’s dissertation). Stellenbosch University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Githinji, M. W. (2020). Parental support and academic success among university students in Kenya. African Journal of Education and Practice, 6(4), 45–60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Harper, C. E., Sax, L. J., & Wolf, D. S. (2019). Parental involvement and student development in higher education: A systematic review. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 56(1), 23–40. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Kararwa, H., Ogembo, J., & Mwenda, J. (2025). Effectiveness of Parental Involvement on Students’ Participation in Schooling in Public Secondary Schools in Meru County, Kenya. Journal of Education, 5(3), 32-46. https://doi.org/10.70619/vol5iss3pp32-46 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Kinsella, M., Wyatt, J., Nestor, N., Last, J., & Rackard, S. (2023). Fostering students’ autonomy within higher education: The relational roots of student adviser supports. Irish Educational Studies, 43(4), 1189–1208. https://doi.org/10.1080/03323315.2023.2201229 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2015). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (8th ed.). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Lin, H., & Zainudin, Z. (2024). Theorizing holistic framework of family emotional support on student learning motivation in higher education institution. ICCCM Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(5). https://doi.org/10.53797/icccmjssh.v3i5.13.2024 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Lowe, K., & Dotterer, A. M. (2018). Parental involvement during the college transition: A review and suggestion for its conceptual definition. Adolescent Research Review, 3(1), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-017-0058-z [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Luedke, C. L., Contreras-García, N., & Golden, C. (2024). The role of relational reciprocity: How students’ families support and influence them during the transition to higher education. Education Sciences, 14(7), 689. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070689 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Mbogo, R., & Njeru, L. (2022). Digital communication and family engagement in higher education: Lessons from Kenyan universities. African Journal of Communication and Development Studies, 4(1), 58–72. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Mobegi, F. O., & Kara, A. M. (2022). Methods of financing university education and their implications on access, quality and completion rates: An experience shared from undergraduate education students, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2022.3.3.325 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Mugambi, J., & Ngaruiya, P. (2020). Cultural values and parental participation in education in Kenya. International Journal of Education and Culture, 12(1), 15–29. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Muigai, J. W. (2021). Parental involvement in primary schools in Kenya as a major strategy for academic success. European Journal of Education Studies, 8(7), 105–117. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Mutiso, J. M., Onyango, M., & Nyagol, M. O. (2015). Effects of funding sources on access to quality higher education in public universities in Kenya: A case study. International Journal of Business and Social Research, 5(3), 68–81. https://doi.org/10.18533/ijbsr.v5i3.738 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Mwangi, P. N., Gitonga, C. M., & Kariuki, S. N. (2024). Social economic predictors of parental involvement in rural schools in Kenya: Implications on teaching and learning. Education 3(13), 52(8), 1295–1308. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2022.2145850 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Okello, M. (2023). The role of parents in their children’s education. African Journal of Education and Practice, 9(1), 28–38. https://doi.org/10.47604/ajep.1883 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Onu, W. (2015). Parental Involvement in Higher Education: Understanding the Concerns and Expectations of the Parents of College Students (Doctoral dissertation). Ross College of Education, Lynn University, Florida. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Ramesh Sharma. (2022). The effects of parental involvement on student academic success. Global International Research Thoughts, 1(3), 34–42. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Song, L., Zhan, Q., Cao, L., et al. (2024). Parent autonomy support and undergraduates’ academic engagement in online learning: The mediate role of self-regulation. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 37, 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-024-00330-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Wartman, K. L., & Savage, M. (2008). Parental involvement in higher education: Understanding the relationships among students, parents, and the institution. ASHE Higher Education Report, 33(6), 1–125. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Xiaoguang, A.L., Irungu, R. W., & Wanjiru, A. (2021). How is academic performance affected by delay in student loan disbursement in Kenyan universities? A case study of Kenyatta University. Higher Education Studies, 11(1), 121–131. https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v11n1p121 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Zulfiqar, N., Shafi, M. T., & Ajmal, R. (2025). Academic achievement of first-generation university students in spotlight: Role of parental involvement, autonomy support, and academic motivation. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 27(1), 157–177. https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251231160774 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study