Influence of Parental Socio -Economic Status on Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Physics Students in Kaduna-North Local Government Area Kaduna, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
This study examined the influence of socio-economic status of parents on academic
performance of their children among selected senior secondary schools in KadunaNorth LGA Kaduna, Nigeria. Socio-economic status is a comprehensive measure that
includes a person’s economic and social position in relation to others based on
income, education, and occupation, which influence access to resources. This study
aims to investigate the relationship between parental socio-economic status and
students' academic performance among secondary school physics students in
Kaduna-North Local Government Area, Kaduna, Nigeria. The research was carried
out with three research objectives and research questions. The descriptive survey
research design was adopted for this study. A sample of one hundred (100) secondary
school physics students was selected from 2 secondary schools in Kaduna-North
LGA which are Government secondary school Rafin Guza and Dalet Girls secondary
school kawo, using a stratified random sampling technique. The study utilizes
primary data which is collected through questionnaire administration among the
sampled secondary schools. Simple percentage and tabulation were employed for
data analysis. The findings of this study indicated that socio-economic status of
parents affects the performance of children in schools in Nigeria. The results of the
study have provided empirical proof that socioeconomic status of parents such as low
level of income, lack of education and occupation influence academic performance
of students negatively. This may have adverse effect on students’ academic
performance among secondary school physics students in Kaduna-North LGA,
Kaduna. The parent at most times relent on the education of their children, thereby
affecting the educational achievement of the children, there is need for parents to be
serious and often should monitor their children academic work at home and pay the
necessary levy and fees needed for their education. The study recommends that
government should endeavor to popularize the idea of participatory management and
funding of secondary education. This will reduce the level of inequality in education
between the rich parents (those with high socio-economic status) and poor parents
with lower status. Also, it is recommended that parents especially with low level of
income should diversify their source of income in order to have more money to spend
on their children’s education. This will enable them to pay school fees in time,
provide the needs of their children in school, other education materials and conducive
learning environment at home. Studies of this kind could be carried out in junior
secondary schools, colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities as the result
obtained here is restricted to senior secondary schools.