Parent Socio-Economic Status And Academic Performance Of Primary School Pupils

This study was carried out on parent socio-economic status and academic performance of primary school pupils in Ekiti State using quantitative research paradigms. The objectives of the study were: to estimate the relationship between parents’ educational level, income level and occupations; with pupils’ grades in their mock examinations leading to primary school leaving examinations. Data for the study was collected through the use of questionnaires for pupils, interview with teachers and documentary analysis of the school records. The researcher used Tables, charts and Pearson’s correlation to present and analyze data. The result was a significant and positive correlation between the parents’ level of education, income and occupation with pupil’s educational performance. Fathers’ education was significant at 0.804. The mothers’ educational level was significant at 0.641.  Parent’s level of income was significant at 0.875. Parents’ occupation was significant at 0.757. These findings are similar to results found by Kakuru 2001, Kasente D 2003, Bjorkman 2005, Bugembe et al 2005, Akanle 2007, Nnanyonjo H 2007, Okumu et al 2008, and Alisa 2010. But parent’ low socio-economic status is not the only de-motivation for pupils’ performance. the assumption that the higher the education level of parents, the better the performance of pupils is questionable because it was observed that pupils whose parents did not even go to school were represented in all the grades like any other pupils just as pupils with parents having higher education performed poorly were represented. Secondly Parents income level affects pupils performance more than education level and occupation of parents. Lastly, families with high socioeconomic status often seek out information to help them better prepare their young children for school. Unfortunately a very big percentage in Ikere LGA of Ekiti State did predominantly manual jobs associated with low occupational prestige. It was therefore recommended that parents should continue to improve on their education levels through adult education programs. Secondly, children from low socioeconomic backgrounds should work with parents to increase their savings and remain in school because schooling eventually has a redeeming effect on their poor plight.