Socio-Economic Status and Academic Achievement of Pupils in Selected Public Primary Schools in Starehe Division, Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT 

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of socio-economic status on pupils academic achievement. It looked at the association between parental levels of income, parental level of education, marital status and academic achievement of pupils in public primary schools in Starehe Division. The study focused on 180 pupils, 18 teachers and nine headteachers from the division. Descriptive correlational design was employed. Researcher devised questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed using the SPSS to determine the correlational coefficients between variables and descriptive analysis by use of means, modes and percentages. The findings revealed a positive relationship between socio-economic status and academic achievement of learners. The results showed that pupils from low SES often had to perform domestic duties or looked for paid work and this undermined their academic performance. Students from low SES also predominantly emanated from single homes and as such did not enjoy financial security. The study recommended that policy matters in education should provide appropriate and equitable opportunities that meet the learning needs of all individuals, regardless of the differences in their family SES background.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION (A)

DECLARATION (B)

APPROVAL

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES xi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xii

CHAPTER ONE 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 3

The purpose of the study 4

Research Objectives 4

Research Questions 4

Hypotheses 5

The scope of the study 5

Significance of the Study 5

Operational Definition of Terms 6

CHAPTER TWO 7

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 7

Introduction 7

Theoretical Perspective 7

Conceptual Framework 8

Review of Related Literature 8

Family level of income and academic achievement of learners 9

Parents level of education and academic achievement 12

Marital status of parents and Academic achievement 14

Summary of the literature review 16

CHAPTER THREE 17

METHODOLOGY’ ~ .17

Introduction 17

Research Design 17

Research Population 17

Sample and Sampling Procedure 18

Sample Size 18

Sampling Procedure 18

The Research Instrument 19

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 19

Validity of the Instrument 19

Reliability of the Instrument 19

Data Gathering Procedure 19

Data Analysis 20

Ethical Consideration 20

Limitations of the Study 21

CHAPTER FOUR 22

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 22

Introduction 22

Description of Respondents by Gender 22

Description of Respondents by Qualification 23

Description of Respondents by Period spent in school 24

Parents Socio-Economic Background 25

Description of Pupils’ Parents’ SES 28

Description of pupils’ academic performance 29

The Relationship between Parents’ Income, Education Level, Marital Status and Pupils’ academic Performance 29

The Relationship Between Pupils’ Socio-economic Status and Pupils’ Academic Performance 30

CHAPTER FIVE 32

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 32

Introduction 32

Summary of Findings 32

Conclusions 33

Recommendations 34

Objective one 34

Objective two 34

Suggestions for Further Research 35

REFERENCES 36

APPENDICES 40

APPENDIX I: TRANSMITTAL LETTER 40

APPENDIX II 41

LETTER OF INTRODUCTION 41

APPENDIX 1I1 42

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS AND HEAD TEACHERS 42

APPENDIX IV~ 44

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PUPILS 44

APPENDIX V 46

CURRICULUM VITAE 46

APPENDIX VI 48

SAMPLE SIZE(S) REQUIRED FOR THE GIVEN POPULATION SIZES (N) 48