INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE NIGERIA: COUNSELLING IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study focuses on the rationale for poor performance of secondary school students from both literate and non-literate homes family’s backgrounds whose parents cannot guide their children in their day-to-day activities in school; to find out what could be done to encourage children from both literate and illiterate family’s backgrounds to improve academically. An inferential research design was used; the population is all secondary students in Lagos state. A purposive sampling technique was used to select five junior secondary schools in Ojo Local Education District of the State. A self-constructed questionnaire known as Parental Educational Background on Academic Performance Questionnaire (PEBAPEQ) was administered for data collection. A questionnaire was validated by the expert in test and measurement. The information collected was analyzed using simple percentage and dichotomous scale. The findings showed that educational backgrounds of parents have positive effect on student achievement. Also, attainment of educated parents make possible for them to see that their prospects reach the highest level in life. The study recommends that education is a very important tool in the life of a child; it is an instrument of social change and a tool for enlightenment. With this assertion, parents should encourage their children to enroll subjects they desire which can improve the child’s academic performance in school and total life. Also, the school administration should ensure that they find a way of getting in touch with pupils’ parents because it is their duty to give regular information on the activities of the school.

KEYWORDS: Influence, Parental, Educational Background, Academic Performance and Counselling.

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*CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Dr. Mubaidat Adenrele ADENIYI, Lagos State University of Education, College of Specialised and Professional Education,Department of Educational Foundations &Counselling Psychology, Oto/Ijanikin, P.M.B. 2007 Ijanikin, Lagos State,

Nigeria. Email: Adenrele.adeniyi@yahoo.com Tel: +2348034551638