Influence of Parents’ Provision of Basic Needs on the Academic Performance of Learners in Junior Secondary Schools in Imenti North Sub County, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The academic performance of Junior Secondary Schools’ learners is essential for expanding their economic opportunities. However, JSS learner achievement in Imenti North Sub-County is limited, despite the policies and guidelines for learner achievement outlined by the Ministry of education (MOE) and KICD. Challenges such as high learner drop-out rates, little achievement in assessments, and poor communication skills still persist. This paper investigates the influence of parents’ provision of basic needs on the academic performance of learners in Junior Secondary Schools in Imenti North Sub County, Meru County; anchored on the Epstein’s model of parental participation. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing descriptive survey research design to achieve its purpose. The target population comprised 26 public primary schools, 26 head-teachers, 26 class-teachers, 1170 parents, and 1170 grade seven learners. A sample size of 8 head-teachers, 8 class-teachers, 71 parents and 71 pupils was obtained using Mugenda and Mugenda’s 20% recommendation. Whereas simple random sampling was used to get parents and learners; census sampling was adopted for head teachers, and class-teachers. Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data, and validity and reliability of the tools was ascertained. The findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between parents’ provision of basic needs and academic achievement. The study concludes that parents’ provision of clean water, nutritional diet, warm bedding, school fees, medical needs and a conducive reading environment impacts the academic achievement. Factors such as learners being sent home to collect school fees, not meeting medical needs makes learners less interactive, less attentive in class and perpetually absent. The study recommends MOE and head-teachers to prioritize parent education and sensitization on learner basic needs. Moreover, stakeholders such as churches, NGOs and the ministry of education should support school food program and implement a healthcare strategy to enhance learners’ health.