A Qualitative Study On The Challenges Faced In Family-School-Community Partnership For A More Successful Education System In Suva,Fiji.

Despite current laws in place,Fiji is facing a major concern where many children are found not utilizing the government grant for free education and complying with current laws on compulsory education.Surprisingly,these children have been identified in urban and semi-urban areas.This study looks at Epstein’s six types of involvement and how it is being implemented in an urban school in Fiji.The study explores the difficulties faced in creating good family-school-community partnerships and what can be done to overcome these issues to build long lasting relationships between various stakeholders namely heads of school,teachers,parents,members of the community such as volunteers from organizations linked to the school,and alumni.The two research questions guiding this qualitative study were 1.)What are some challenges building successful family-community-school partnership? and 2.)How can the challenges schools face with involving family members and community be overcome?Based on the interviews conducted with the various stakeholders,it was found that the main challenges faced in building successful FSC partnership had to do with the need to understand the different roles various stakeholders play.Due to lack of understanding and misunderstanding,divisions can be caused within the school body.The study also identifies current methods used in the school to build and maintain their FSC partnerships and further suggestions were given based on other research papers on how to better the partnership.