The impact of parental guidance on the academic performance of secondary school students at ordinary level in Uganda

Abstract

The main purpose of this research study was to assess the impact of parental guidance on the academic performance of Secondary School students at Ordinary Level in Uganda, a case of Nakawa Division – Kampala District. The study was guided by two specific objectives and one hypothesis. The objectives were: i. To identify the various ways in which parents support their students. ii. To identify the impact of parental support on the academic performance of Secondary School students at Ordinary level in Nakwa Division - Kampala District. The hypothesis was: Parental support has no impact on academic performance of secondary school students to Ordinary Level in Nakawa Division – Kampala District. The research was conducted in twelve selected Secondary Schools in Nakawa Division – Kampala District. From each school, a total of 30 students of senior three were sampled at random, giving a total of 360 students. In addition 02 parents were sampled at random from each school, giving a total of 24 parents. Furthermore, 02 senior three class teachers and 01 head teacher were sampled from each of the schools giving a total of 24 teachers and 12 head teachers. This therefore gave a total of 35 respondents from each Secondary School and an overall total of 420 respondents. The researcher used case study design, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and presentation. The researcher designed the research tools and administered the instruments to the respondents personally using questionnaire, interview schedules, and documentary analysis checklist. The results were analyzed and discussed, conclusions and recommendations drawn. The findings of the study reveal that parental participation is evident in solving students’ problems related to academics, helping students not to make mistakes by setting rules and regulations, teaching students good morals, caring for students whenever they are sick, encouraging students to revise and finding out always whether students do their homework, and providing scholastic materials. These areas, therefore, positively influenced academic performance of Secondary School students at Ordinary Level in Nakawa Division - Kampala District. These findings imply that parental support to Secondary School students at Ordinary Level needs to be taken seriously by school administration, teachers, parents and Ministry of Education and Sports in order to improve the academic performance of secondary school students