Parental involvement and learners’ academic performance at primary leaving examination in Rural Government-Aided Primary Schools in Ssisa Sub-county, Wakiso District, Uganda

Abstract

The study sought to establish the level of parental involvement and learners’ academic performance at P.L.E in rural government- aided primary schools in Sissa Sub-County, Wakiso District, Uganda. Three specific objectives guided the study thus; · To establish the level of home-based parental involvement in rural government-aided primary schools in Ssisa Sub county, Wakiso district. · To establish the level of school-based parental involvement in rural government-aided primary schools in Ssisa Subcounty, Wakiso district. · To examine the relationship between parental involvement and learners’ academic performance at PLE in rural government-aided primary schools, Wakiso district. The study employed a descriptive research design using a mixed methods approach. The study also adopted a cross- sectional research method to gather the data from headteachers and teachers. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were applied in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Results indicated that the level of home-based parental involvement in government aided primary schools in Sissa Subcounty was high at a mean of 3.64 with a standard deviation of 1.23. The results of school-based parental involvement in government aided schools in Sissa indicated that there was a high level of parental involvement with a mean of 3.66 and a standard deviation of 1.2. Results also revealed a positive and significant relationship between parental involvement and learners’ academic performance at (r = -.120, N = 102, p = .230 > 0.05). The study recommended that; Parents should; provide a conducive learning environment to their children at home, provide quality supervision to children when given homework and show a positive attitude to their learners in home-based activities since it enhances performance of these children at P.L.E. The education department at the dsitrict should fully sensitize the public about the relevance of parental involvement and how it enhances performance. School administrators should create close partnerships between parents and learners.