Factors Affecting Rural Men’s Participation in Children’s Preschool in One Rural Education District in the Eastern Cape Province

Abstract A descriptive survey design enabled the use of a structured questionnaire instrument on 164 randomly selected men to obtain the factors affecting their participation in their children’s early education. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used for data analysis. Results show that demographic variables do not prevent men from participating in the early education of the children. Mothers constitute barriers to how men want to get involved in the child’s education. It also shows that the less educated men are more likely not to know how to help their children at home. No statistically significant relationship exists between the men’s occupations and their views on the factors that affect their participation. Occupation is not a determinant factor that can prevent men from taking part in children’s education. It is recommended that fathers be encouraged to develop positive attitudes towards the education of their children. More recommendations have been made.