The influence of parental involvement on students’ academic performance in english language among secondary school students in Likuyani sub-county, Kakamega County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish any form of parental involvement and to investigate the influence on the students‟ academic performance in English language. The study sought to establish whether or not students whose parents are actively involved in their education perform better in English language. The objectives of the study were to investigate parental involvement in the students‟ education and to establish the relationship between parental involvement and academic performance in English language. The study was advanced by a theoretical framework based on the social learning theory by Bandura (1977), which emphasizes on behaviour modelling exemplified by parents of the child. The study employed a causal comparative research (ex-post-facto) design. Simple random sampling techniques were used to obtain the sample for study. Data for the study was collected from 54 students from four secondary schools in Likuyani Sub County using a students‟ questionnaire. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Data analysis revealed that parental involvement has significant impact on the academic performance in English language among secondary school students. The findings are important in that they underscore the importance of the involvement of the parent. Parents should be made to realise that they play an important role in ensuring that their children perform well by way of providing scholastic needs and also by supporting school organized activities and showing interest in their children‟s academic activities. The study found out that most of the students (77.7%) were actively supported by their parents in providing for their academic needs. Parental involvement, according to this study, significantly impacted on students‟ academic performance in English language.