| dc.description.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. | en_US |
