Factors Influencing the Selection of Kids’ Preliminary School in Pakistan: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed at exploring those factors by following the procedures of qualitative research as well as exploration of rich sources of information contemplated by parents in order to get a better idea of schooling institutions.
 Methodology: The data was collected by interviewing the parents who had lately admitted their kids to the schools and had the selection process fresh in their memory. To provide more valuable insights to the readers and by keeping in view the importance of parents’ mindfulness in the decision making, only those participants were considered who had at least 14 years of education themselves; about half of them are working as faculty members in the education sector in Pakistan. An in-depth qualitative analysis was done using NVIVO 20 software by utilizing the thematic analysis technique.
 Findings: The findings revealed that numerous factors were considered by the parents such as the affordability of the educational expenses, the cultural values, the transportation issues, involvement of school in extra-curricular activities, the distance from home, the environment, the infrastructure of the school, the faculty and education level as well as the skills and creativity enhancement of kids. Although the educated participants talked about affordability issue but most of them were of the view that quality education of children should not be compromised because of this issue and other expenses could be lessened accordingly. The participants mostly relied on personal visits and consultation with educated people in their access for the collection of information about the institutes.
 Implications: The readers of the paper could benefit from these decision-making insights of educated citizens as well as of those involved with education sector professionally.