PARENTS’ INVOLVEMENT AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN BUHAGUZI COUNTY, HOIMA DISTRICT

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relationship between parents’ involvement and academic performance of Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools in Buhaguzi County, Hoima District. The study had the following objectives; (i) to assess the relationship between parents’ involvement in the provision of scholastic requirements and pupils’ academic performance; (ii) to establish the relationship between parents’ involvement in school management and pupils’ academic performance; and (iii) to investigate the relationship between parents’ involvement in supporting the pupils’ learning at home and pupils’ academic performance in UPE schools in Buhaguzi County, Hoima district. This study was underpinned by Epstein’s 1995 Theory of Six Types of parental involvement vis-à-vis parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision-making and collaborating with the community in order to clearly understand the link between parents’ involvement and academic performance (Epstein, 1995). A descriptive cross sectional survey design was adopted for this study. The study focused on 21 selected schools as accessible population out of 68 target UPE schools in Buhaguzi County with a total population of 254 respondents. A sample of 198 respondents was determined using the table of Krejcie & Morgan (1970). This study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection that included the questionnaire survey, face to face interviews, documentary review and direct observation and found out that: there is low involvement of parents when it comes to the provision of scholastic requirements to pupils more especially providing support to the pupils feeding while at school. However, it goes further ironically to establish a very strong and positive relationship between provision of scholastic requirements to pupils and academic performance of UPE schools in Buhaguzi County – Hoima District. This study shows that there is low involvement of parents in school management notably planning and in decision making. However, the same study findings show that good pupils’ academic performance of UPE schools in Buhaguzi County – Hoima District is inextricably intertwined with active parents’ involvement in School Management. It’s clear from the study findings that parents’ involvement in supporting the pupils’ learning at Home is very important for any pupil to post good academic results. This type of involvement however has not yet become popular in the UPE Schools of Buhaguzi County – Hoima District. It was recommended that: the public be sensitized about parents’ role in supporting their children’s education. This should not be left to teachers alone at school but rather all stakeholders. The Ministry of Education should design training programs for key stakeholders that include good management practices in addition to improved monitoring and supervision by education inspector of schools and parents. Community level stakeholders like LC I need to enforce compulsory education to all school age going children and Hoima District local government should enact bylaws that prohibits alcohol drinking at the expense of the children’s education. Parents should either provide packed meals or contribute to a special fund in each and every school in Buhaguzi County to supplement on government funding so as to fill gaps like feeding, and to improvement of the teacher’s welfare and sanitation facilities so as to improve the learning environment at school.