The contribution of parental socio-economic status on pupils' KCPE performance in Mwea-east district, Kirinyaga county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate performance of primary schools in Murinduko Zone, Mwea-East District involving 24 public primary schools. The objectives of the study included the parents level of income, level of education, political involvement and child labour which greatly influenced the KCPE performance. The study design used was descriptive research design while the sampling method to collect data was stratified random sampling. The data collecting instrument used included the questionnaires, interview schedules and observations. The data was then collected and analyzed qualitatively and quantatively using SPSS. It was then presented using statistical measurements of central tendency such as mean, mode and median and then represented in frequency tables, charts and graphs. The theoretical framework was pegged on Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of need theory. The study established that most of the learners hailed from poor backgrounds and hence affected the KCPE performance. Most of the parents had attained only the primary level of education and were primary school drop-outs. Political wrangles between parents and the administration also affected the performance. Child labour is very prevalent and had a very great influence in the KCPE performance where children are exposed to it in order to subsidize family income. The main recommendations include; the government should continue offering FPE and add some more funds for building facilities like computer laboratories and libraries, the stakeholders should join hands such that where parents deny their children their education right they can make them face the law; the government should also consider this area as one of the semi-arid areas so that when it is planning for the ASAL areas can also plan for this area and the stakeholders should look for help from donors, NGO'S sponsors and even from world bank finances.