An analysis of the relationship between parental involvement in child’s education and academic performance in secondary schools of Nyamira county

Abstract

Research in developed countries suggests that parental involvement is associated with secondary students‘ academic success; but in developing countries more research is required to establish which type of parental involvement may positively influence the performance of secondary going children. This study aimed at examining whether (a) parental involvement in child‘s learning activities in the home and school has an association with academic outcomes of secondary school students in Nyamira county, (b) parents modelling, mentoring and partnering with teachers in disciplining (c) participation of parents in school organised programmes, functions and activities, (d) level of parental involvement in child‘s education and parent – school communication are related to student academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination in public secondary schools of Nyamira County. The researcher adopted quantitative research methodology using a descriptive survey design with a sample of 400 from the target population of 60,015 in the study. The purpose of this research study was to find out if there existed a relationship between parental involvement and academic performance, to determine and describe the extent to which Nyamira county parents are involved their children‘s education. The research instruments mainly used were questionnaires, and data analysis guides. Reliability test using split – halves technique was done to validate the instruments in the piloted school. Data collected was coded, processed and analysed with the aid of a computer programme SPSS version 20. Descriptive, correlation statistics and regression analysis were used to measure the existence, strength and nature of association between parental involvement and academic performance. The study findings showed that parental involvement in the child‘s education had a positive effect in academic performance though one aspect of parental involvement which was assistance in homework had negative correlation to student academic performance which was in consonance to the most recent research findings obtained in the USA 2014. It was concluded that there was weak parental involvement in children‘s education in Nyamira County in the areas of monitoring the student‘s work, modelling, mentoring and partnership in student discipline, support and attendance to school functions, activities and programmes, and low parent and school communication which has led to poor performance of students in the KCSE. It was recommended that parents should take a leading role in supporting their children‘s educational endeavours, build strong parent – teacher partnership through consultations, monitoring of child‘s work, and attending and supporting school organised functions and programmes and parents to set realistic goals for their children.