Effects of single parenting on academic performance of senior high school students in the Asante Bekwai Municipality Ashanti Region

Abstract

This study examined the effects of single parenting on the academic performance of Senior High School students in the Asante Bekwai Municipality. The purpose was to explore how parental structure influences students’ academic outcomes and to identify the challenges and coping strategies of students from single-parent households. A quantitative descriptive design was employed, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 360 respondents selected through stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations with the aid of SPSS. The findings revealed that single parents in the municipality showed a moderate to high level of involvement in their children’s education, particularly in monitoring progress and communicating with teachers. However, inconsistencies existed in providing learning materials and assisting with homework due to financial and time constraints. Single parenting was found to significantly affect students’ academic performance, with financial hardship, emotional stress, and household responsibilities reducing study time and concentration. Despite these challenges, students adopted effective coping strategies, including self-motivation, peer collaboration, and teacher engagement. The study recommended targeted support systems, including parental workshops, counselling, and mentorship programmes, to improve academic performance of single-parent students.