Influence of Parental Involvement on Female Students’ Academic Performance in Selected Primary Teachers’ Colleges of Central Region in Uganda

Abstract

Poor female students’ academic performance in various Primary Teachers’ Colleges (PTCs) has been increasing over the years. This has been attributed to several factors like school environment, gender of Tutors, Cultural factors, Socio-economic factors, early marriages, parental involvement in female students’ academic performance inclusive. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of parental involvement on female students’ academic performance in selected Primary Teachers’ Colleges (PTCs) of Central Region in Uganda. The research objectives were; to find out the extent of parental involvement in the female students’ academic performance and, to establish challenges to female students’ academic performance in selected Primary Teachers Colleges of central region in Uganda.

The researcher used a cross sectional survey study design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A total of 164 respondents were enrolled into the study using purposive and random sampling techniques. This included Directors of Study (DOS), college tutors, parents and female students. Questionnaires and interview guides were used as data collection instruments. Study findings revealed that the low levels of parental involvement have a significant influence on the performance of female students in PTCs of central region in Uganda. Study findings also revealed that there were other challenges to female students’ academic performance. These included early marriages, drug abuse, gender of tutors, lack of enough scholastic and personal requirements, socio- economic status of the parents, and study environment. Present study established that there was a significant relationship between parental involvement and performance of female students in selected PTCs of central region in Uganda.

The study recommended that; Parents should get involved in the academic affairs of their daughters’ by providing them with scholastic and personal requirements, discipline them, and get involved in college programmes. The Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) should organize Sensitization programmes to equip female students with life skills, understand their value and the value of excelling in performance while at college. The government should design sensitization programmes which will enable parents understand their roles in the academic performance of their daughters in PTCs of central region in Uganda. In conclusion therefore, parental involvement has a significant effect on the academic performance of female students’ in PTCs of central region in Uganda.

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