INFLUENCE OF PARENTS’ INCOME ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS (SHS) IN THE AWUTU-SENYA AND EFFUTU EDUCATIONAL DISTRICTS

Abstract

The study sought to investigate how parents’ income levels influence their ability to support their children’s education at the SHS level, and how such situations affect students’ academic performance in schools. A cross sectional survey was used as the design. The sample size was 528. The population of the study consisted of school officials, teachers, students and parents. Purposive, census, quota and random sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents. Questionnaire, semi-structured interview schedules, and documents were used in the data collection process. Descriptive statistics were used in presenting the data. Teachers agreed that the financial status of parents generally affected students’ achievement levels in the study area. Parents found it difficult to support their children’s education and were unable to pay their school fees, other levies and also provide their educational materials. Parents who were hard hit by this situation were those who did not have employable skills such as subsistent farmers. The study further found that about 22% of the students owed fees in arrears. Respondents were of the view that well educated parents who were well paid were able to pay for their students’ education and provided their needs. It is recommended that the Government of Ghana should take measures to ensure that needy students are given scholarships and bursaries so as to reduce their financial pressures they experience in school.