Factors influencing parents’ decision to choose pre-schools for their children: a case of Dodoma city

Abstract

Quality education provision is the main factor which attracts parents to send their children to preferred schools. This study investigated the reasons for parents’ choice of specific pre-primary schools in Dodoma City. It investigated criteria parents use in choosing pre-primary and ways parents use to get information about particular schools for their children. The Rational Choice Theory (RCT) was employed to guide the study. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A total of 55 respondents composed of parents were involved in the study. Respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion and documentary review and questionnaire. The findings revealed that, in theory, Rational Choice Theory sounds good as it governs the beliefs that most parents make decisions based on preferences that are constricted by real world circumstances. The theory is very difficult to put into practice due to the challenges that parents face when choosing pre-primary for their children like home school distance, costs, availability of meals at school, language of instruction and other factors as revealed by the study. The study recommends the government to continue insisting about provision of quality education in all schools, regulate school fees in private schools as well as considering to put into practice the policy stated about the required number of students in classroom.