PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AS PREDICTORS OF STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study examined parental involvement as predictors of students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study while two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted correlational research design. The population of the study was 21,272 SS2 students in 267 public secondary schools in the six education zones in Anambra State. The sample of 1,064 SS2 students was used for the study. Multistage sampling procedure comprising proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used for the study. The instrument ‘Parental Involvement Questionnaire (PIQ)’ was used for data collection while Students’ Academic Performance Scores (SAPS) was used to measure students’ academic performance for this study. The instrument was subjected to face and construct validation. Face validation was done by three experts. On the other hand, construct validation was carried out by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with the help SPSS version 26 which indicated that the instrument was suitable for the study. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha Coefficient method and the average coefficient of 0.78 for PIQ was obtained. Direct method of data administration was utilized by the researcher together with five research assistants. Out of 1,064 copies of the instrument administered, 935(88%) of the instrument were correctly completed and returned. Simple linear regression statistical tool was used for the study. The findings of the study revealed that parental involvement in school decision-making and parenting practices positively and significantly predict students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Anambra State. The study concluded that parental involvement is a driving force that predicts students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Based on the findings, the study recommended that parents should be given more opportunities to form part of the school governing boards so as to bring the school closer to the parents to foster closer parent-school relationship. Parents on the other hand, should make more efforts to involve themselves in the education of their children by providing their educational needs and other necessary support. This will go a long way in boosting students’ academic engagement and performance in public secondary schools in Anambra State.