The influence of socio- economic status of parents on perceived students’ academic achievements in Prempeh MA cluster of Junior High Schools in the Kwadaso Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the implications of socio- economic status of parents on students’ academic achievements in Junior High Schools of the Prempeh cluster of Basic Schools in the Kwadaso Municipality. The objectives of the study were to find out the effect of parents financial circumstance on children’s perceived academic achievement, determine the effect of learning environment provided at home on children’s perceived academic achievement and to find out the effect of parents educational attainment on children’s perceived academic achievement. The descriptive cross sectional survey design was used for the study. The target population for the study was 135 head teachers, teachers and parents. Census sampling technique was used to select all the three head teachers and 57 teachers. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 63 literate parents making a total of 123 respondents for the study. Closed ended questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The reliability test yielded Cronbach Alpha of 0.82. The data were computed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and analyzed descriptively. The study found that parents’ financial circumstances determined the type of school children attended and that the ability to support children’s education influenced students’ confidence towards learning. The provision of lights, lantern, textbooks and serene atmosphere helped in improving children academic performance. Parents’ educational attainment determined the kind of assistance children receive at home from school. It is recommended that based on the findings and conclusions head teachers should educate parents to provide their children with serene and supportive home environment in order to help their children in their studies after school.