| dc.description.abstract | This study was designed to investigate the factors affecting academic performance of public
primary school in Kenya. Emphasis was put on trying to establish the relationship between
parents' involvement, social economic status and school background on academic
performance of students at Magena Division, Kenyenya District. The study employed the use
of descriptive statistics to establish the nature of the relationships. The validity and reliability
of research instruments was established and data collected from 65 respondents selected from
all the thirteen school using the simple random sampling method. To analyze the data, the
descriptive statistical tool was used with the aim of establishing the relationship between
pupils' parents' involvement, social economic status and school background on the academic
performance of students. This formed the basis of the detailed analysis and conclusions and
recommendations.
The researcher confirmed the research objective one, that there is a positive relationship
between parent involvement and academic performance of pupils. ~he researcher found out
that the parents of Magena Division are not involving themselves fully in matters of academic
performance. This is what is causing the low performance in the division.
The researcher confirmed that the objective two, that there is a positive relationship between
parents' social economic status and academic performance of pupils. Most parents are not
supporting in matters relating to academics. The results of this study may be explained by
Considine and Zappala (2002) who found that families where the parents are advantaged
socially, educationally and economically foster a higher level of achievement in their
children. They also found that these parents provide higher levels of psychological support
for their children through environments that encourage the development of skills necessary
for success at school.
There is an urgent need for parents to be more involving-this implies that the parents have to
join hands with the teachers to instill discipline, there is need for warm relations between
parents, pupils, teachers and educational personnel in order to improve performance.
There is also an urgent need for parents to be more supportive towards their children in
academic related matters. This implies that the parents have to give adequate time, school
uniforms for their children to perform well in academic matters,
The parents through their Parents Association should ensure that schools have the necessary
facilities and equipments needed for effective learning. Since there is no more cost sharing in
the provision of primary education, the government should-provide adequate teaching and
learning resources to the schools.
The paper has offered a new guidance and directions to policy makers, scholars- and
researchers in order to improve the weak areas and respond to changes in the internal and
external environment. It aimed to sharpen assistance to developing countries to Improve
educational outcomes, with the benefit of new analysis and lessons learned. | en |
