Effects Of Poverty On Pre School Children's Academic Performance: A Case Study Of Huruma Estate Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish effects of poverty on the academic performance of pre-school in Huruma Estate in Nairobi Province. Five research questions were formulated to guide in the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design while data was collected by use of questionnaires. Findings revealed that Parents were not able to provide their children with learning resources which affected their academic performance. It was also revealed that children who came from poor families provided children with a learning environment which is not conducive, affected their learning. The finding revealed that children were at times forced to be absent from schools to do other jobs at home such as looking after their siblings or do some jobs which affected their academic performance, it was also found out that parents economic

standards were low that they were not able to support their children’s' education which also affected their academic performance. It was also found that the living environment was not proper to support children’s’ education for example children did not have adequate space for homework. Based on the findings, it was concluded that family condition contributed by poverty affected children's academic performance. Based on the above findings it was recommended that there is need to support pre-schools by provision of the necessary needs which are not accessible by the parents. It was also recommended that there is need for government to make pre-school education free so as more children are able to access it. Based on the findings the research recommended that there is need to conduct a study on how economic activities of the parents contribute to academic performance of the children. Since this study was conducted i.i one area, there is need to conduct the same study in other areas.