Parents’ economic status and pupils’ academic performance in selected primary schools in Kiryandongo town council, Kiryandongo district.

Abstract

The study investigated the parent’s Economic Status and learners’ academic performance in selected primary schools in Kiryandongo Town Council. The study was guided by the following objectives; To find out how family income of parents influences learners’ academic performance, to investigate how parents’ education level influence learners’ academic performance, to establish how parents’ occupation relate to learners’ academic performance. Literature was reviewed basing on the study objectives and variables. The study adopted a cross–sectional survey research design where the study variables were operationalized. Using simple and purposive sampling, a total of 175 were selected from the accessible population of 320. Data were collected using questionnaire and oral interviews. Qualitative data was analyzed into themes and categories while the qualitative data was analyzed using frequency tables, and percentages. The study revealed that family income positively and insignificantly predicted pupils’ academic performance; parents’ level of education negatively and insignificantly predicted learners’ academic performance and parents’ occupation positively and significantly predicted learners’ academic performance. The study concluded that family income affected learners’ academic performance because, pupils school fees are always paid late and this affected their performance in examinations each term, scholastic material is not provided by parents, they do not have money to do so, pupils miss class because they help their parents to raise school fees, enable parents to adequately provide their pupils with school materials for studies. Parent’s education level influenced pupil’s academic performance because, it inspires their pupils to read hard, works as example to their pupils. Parents’ occupation is key determinant of learners’ academic performance because, parents’ level of education inspires pupils to study hard, parents’ occupation affects pupils’ studies. The study recommended that, there was need to pay learners’ school fees by their parents so as to enable them settle in class and concentrate academically, parents need to provide their children with scholastic materials so as to enable them concentrate on their studies. Parents needed to be involved in the study of their pupils’ so as to influence their academic performance