INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN GOVERNMENT OWNED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABIA STATE

Abstract

The study examined the influence of parental socio-economic status and students’ academic performance in government owned secondary schools in Abia State. Two objectives, two research questions and two corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised one thousand three hundred and forty three (1343) pnncipals and teachers wich was sampled to 269 using simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire structured on a four point tkert scale. Cronbach alpha technique was used for testing the reliability and the result showed a rehabiity index of 0.90. The hypotheses formulated was tested using t-test. Findings revealed that Parents’ income to a great extent affect students’ punctuality. Further analysis showed that there is no significant difference between the mean rating of principals’ and teachers on the extent to which parents’ income affects students’ punctuality in public secondary schools in Umuahia education zone. Parents’ level of education to a great extent affect students’ study habit. It was also found that there is no significant difference between the mean ratings of principals and teachers an the extent to which parents’ level of education affects students’ study habit. Based on the findings above, the study therefore recommended that government should provide employment opportunity to parents and other educational facilities for schools to enable alf students to have equal access to academic faciities. This will bridge the gaps between the "ch and the poor students academically.