On 21 July 2023, the HSRC launched survey findings on parents’ perceptions of what quality education looks like for their children and how they participate in their children’s schooling. 

Drs. Adam Cooper, Candice Groenewald, Steven Gordon and Andrea Juan contributed to this research that looked at five domains: the child’s happiness at school, safety and security, perceptions of educators, knowledge about the school and how empowered parents feel. The researchers followed up the survey with a piece of qualitative research.

The research was conducted in partnership with Parent Power, a DG Murray Trust initiated NGO.   

The findings of the survey and qualitative analysis provided the dataset needed to refine a Parent Power Index – a practical tool for engaging with schools. The index guides parents on how to determine whether their child is getting a quality education, and offers a common language on how to advocate for children’s rights at school.

The full report is available below:

Images from the launch event: