ABSTRACT
This research work aimed at finding out the Influence of
socio-economic status of parents on the academic performance of their children
in Ohuzara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. This research is a
descriptive survey research. 100respodents.The researcher used simple random
sampling technique in to sample from the Target population of 2000. The
instrument used in data collection was structured questionnaire. The data
collected were analysed using simple percentages. At the end of the study, the
following findings were made; Home influence of socio-economic status of
parents in Ohuzara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state. Parents and teacher
helped to run and mould a child’s academic performance. The further career of
the child is guided by the home. The researcher, based on these findings, recommended
that both poor and rich families should try as much as possible give their
children appropriate education.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Education is a
fundamental human right, the key to sustainable development, a crucial tool for
effective participation in societies and it enhances peace and stability among
countries (Buchi, 2005). Posse and Melgosa (2006) identified three environments
that must come into play in the educational process which include; the family,
the school and the community. The researchers opined that for a successful
educational process to be realized the objectives of these three environments
must be harmonized.
Education according to Peter (2009) is the
transmission of what is worthwhile to individual to individuals to make them
knowledgeable and contributing members of the society. Education means all
efforts towards the inculcation of the right attitude, habit, skills and
knowledge necessary for proper adjustment of an individual in the society
Ford and Harris (2006) examined parental
influences on African-American students’ school achievements. They focused on
parents’ level of education, marital status and family income and found that
children from high and middle socio-economic families are exposed to a better
learning environment at home. This is because of provision and availability of
extra learning facilities like computers, televisions, radios, different types
of reading materials among others. They maintained that most students in low
socioeconomic status families are not exposed to these learning facilities.
Okeke (2007) found four
key variables as significant indicators of home environment that is conducive
for learning in Enugu state. These variables are: Father’s and mother's
education, source of light, house hold materials and the academic materials
like books for school subjects in the homes. She maintained that these
variables play a pivotal role in children's education.
The Government of Nigeria upholds education as a fundamental human right
and recognizes that it is crucial for the attainment of self-fulfilment and
National Development. The Nigeria government has made consistent efforts like
Building of New classroom, providing Instructional Materials, Textbooks,
Creating a conducive environment to
enhance quality and equity in education to all Nigerians.
Education is undeniably
important to every person. Through education, one gains knowledge and is able
to enlarge his/her view of the world. Education also plays a rudimental role in
our society and we cannot imagine a life without it. It is an element for
civilization and does not only help to develop healthy surroundings but also
generates an advance community or society. Education contributes tremendously
in developing a child in the sense that it serves as mechanisms that allows a
child to define and pursue his goals by participating in the society where he
finds himself.
Family is a group of persons
united by ties of marriage, blood or adoption constituting a single household
and interacting with each other in their respective social roles. The family
has been of great importance in shaping the performance of children (Buchi
2005). This is because academic performance of the children is usually as a
result of motivation that children received from the people they interact with
in their initial stages of life.
Bichi (2012) stated that
family socio-economic status, which formed the subject of this study, includes
housing condition, availability of reading materials and opportunities for
intellectual development. Family factors, such as unsatisfactory housing
condition may have a serious effect on educational achievement of a child. Families that are large in number,
insufficient amenities, due to poor economic condition could distract the
interest and attention of the learner, which may affect the whole process.
Education is a welcome
addition, whereas on the other hand, children from unsatisfactory families or
those lacking those materials or amenities go to school hoping to find the
essential qualities lacking in their homes.
Naturally the expectation of
these two categories of learners differs.
The socio-economic status of the family has its own consequences to
educational achievement. Inability to
pay regular school fees due to unfavourable economic situation force some
parents to send their children to substandard schools or even withdraw them from
the school.
Where such resources and facilities are lacking it is inevitable that
the learning of a child is seriously affected in terms of their educational
process. The parents from low
socioeconomic status cannot afford to provide all these materials resources
that are very important for educational advancement of their children in
school. The denial of such resources to
their children is born out of the necessity of their economic circumstances,
not because they do not have similar inspiration like the parents who have
these materials resources at their disposal (Blake, 2002) cited in (Aliyu,
2006). In summary, researches elsewhere
have shown that the socio economic status of parents has significant influence
on educational achievement of a child.
However, since “economics is a study of how societies use scarce
resource to produce valuable commodities and distribute them among different
people. Behind this definition are two key ideas in economics: that goods are
scares and that society must use its resources efficiently” It brings us to the
effect of Scio-economic status of parents on the academic performance of their
children. Thus, in the school system, socio-economic status of parents is an
economy and Socio-logical combined total measure of family economic and social
position in relation to others, based on their income, education and occupation
which influence the academic performance and behaviour of their children.
Statement of the Problem
The standard of education
has fallen, therefore leading to lot of arguments among scholars and
educationists. Teachers, government and students are often blamed for this
phenomenon without investigating on other factors that could hinder high
standard of education.
Every child in school performs in different way in terms of academics
which may either be positive or negative. There are variations in the form
where the children attend schools. In the recent times most parents, seems to
be more interested in the feeding and clothing of their children than in their
educational progress. Parents do not care about teaching and encouraging their
children at home. They believe that the school teacher will do everything.
Some blame teachers and students for poor academic performance in the
county.
Many factors such as inadequate school facilities, cultural factors and
inadequate teachers among others have been cited as the possible causes of poor
academic performance in the county. However, parents’ socio-economic status is
hardly mentioned. This study was therefore set to determine the influence of
parental socio-economic status on students’ academic performance in secondary
schools in Ohuzara LGA of Ebonyi State.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to find out the influence of socio-economic
status of parent in the academic performance of students in Ohuzara local
Government area of Ebonyi state specifically, the study sought to;
1.
To find out the employability of students’
parents in Ohuzara L.G.A of Ebonyi State.
2.
To find out the educational attainment level
of parents in Ohuzara L.G.A of Ebonyi State.
3.
To
determine the social status of parents in Ohuzara L.G.A of Eonyi State.
Significance of the Study
The study will be of significance to the parents, teachers, educational researchers
and students because the information collected by the researcher will actually
contribute to their general understanding of the influence of parental
socio-economic status on students’ academic performance.
To the parent- the influence of academic performance
lies squarely in their domain. This research would help to educate them on the
importance of socioeconomic status on students’ academic performance in public
secondary schools
The Ministry of Education and policy makers
in education sector may also use the findings in this study to address the
problem of poor academic performance in Enugu state.
To students – the study would be of immense
importance to them. It would enable them realize that their poor performance
might not necessarily be their fault alone, especially those from low income
families. This would help them to be less dependent on their parents, reduce
frustration and motivate them to become industrious in their studies by making
use of the books and materials provided for them in the school library.
This study will also contribute to the body
of knowledge in general by providing direction to future researchers who may
wish to further their investigation on similar topic. Through this study,
religious organizations and nongovernmental organizations will understand the
influence of parents’ socio-economic status on students’ educational success
and thus obtain appropriate knowledge on how best to contribute/participate in
education sector.
Scope of the Study
The study is limited to senior
secondary school student in Ohuzara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state. The
context scope of this study is limited to finding the influence of parents’
socioeconomic status on students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Ebonyi state.
Research Questions
1. What
is the employability of students’ parents of Ohuzara L G A of Ebonyi State?
2. What
is the Educational attainment level of parents in Ohuzara L G A of Ebonyi
state?
3. What
is the Social Status of parents in Ohuzara L G A of Ebonyi state?
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