Relationship between family background and academic performance of secondary school students: A case of Bushenyi District

Abstract

Family backgrounds have been high lightened as of great importance in molding the performance of students in schools worldwide. This study therefore investigated the relationship between family backgrounds on the academic performance of students in Bushenyi District. This study focused on the influences of; parental marital status, family financial status, and parents’ education level on the academic performance of students in Bushenyi District. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population under study was 500 people. The study used a sample population of 222 people; 130 students, 50 parents, 30 teachers, 10 school administrators, 1 inspector of schools and 1 DEO who were selected by use of a proportionate stratified random sampling method. Data was collected by use of questionnaire and interview schedules. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively and presented using tables. The findings of the study showed that parental marital status, parents’ education level and family financial status had a positive relationship with academic performance of students. The study recommended that the families should be structured on a functionality level to avoid single parenthood if academic performance has to be achieved, the family should have stable income if the children have to achieve academically.