Factors Influencing Parents’ Decision to Select Primary School in Colombo District, Sri Lanka
H. R. A. S. Vindula
Department of Public Administration, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
L. A. Pavithra Madhuwanthi *
Department of Public Administration, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study aims to examine the factors influencing parents’ decision to select a primary school in the Colombo district in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the study particularly examines the household characteristics and school characteristics influencing parents' decision to select a primary school in the Colombo district.
Methodology: This is a quantitative study that employed a sample of 146 parents in the Colombo district. Half of the respondents have been chosen from public schools whilst the other half were from private schools in the Colombo district. A self-administered survey questionnaire was distributed to collect data and the logistic regression method was used for data analysis.
Results: According to the estimated marginal effects (probabilities) of the final logit model, the school that parents attended and perceived academic performance had a positive effect on parents’ selection of a public school. In contrast, family income and discipline of the school had a negative effect on parents’ selection of a public school.
Conclusion: Perceived academic performance and discipline of the school were the significant school characteristics influencing the parents’ decision to select a primary school while the parent being a past pupil of the school and family income were significant household factors.
Keywords: Parents’ decision, primary school, household characteristics, school characteristics