Factors Influencing Parents’ Decision to Select Primary School in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

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.