Influence of selected parental factors on their involvement in their children’s learning literacy skills in lower primary schools in Mathira West, Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Involvement of parents in their children’s education is of paramount importance for academic and moral development of a child. Parental involvement is however affected by many factors. This study focused on the influence of selected parental factors on their involvement in children’s education specifically learning of literacy skills in lower primary school. Specifically, this study focused on the influence of selected parent’s personal characteristics, the influence of parent’s socio-economic status, the influence of family type and the influence of family size on a parent’s involvement in their children’s learning of literacy skills at lower primary school. The study was conducted in Mathira West-Sub- County, Nyeri County, Kenya. It adopted a descriptive survey research design with a target population of 2882 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires from 297 parents with children in lower primary school and 36 lower primary school teachers. A structured interview was also conducted with 12 head teachers. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data from interview was analyzed thematically. Descriptive statistics including frequency and percentages as well as mean and standard deviation was used to describe the relationship between the variables while Chi Square was used to test the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable at 95% level of confidence based on the objectives. Results obtained showed that parent’s age, their level of education, family monthly income and family type significantly influences parent’s involvement in their children’s learning of literacy skills. It is therefore recommended that the Ministry of education actualise implementation of parental empowerment and engagement policy to enhance parents’ capacity for involvement in their children’s learning. School Management should organise sensitization seminars to help improve the capacity of parents to be involved in their children’s learning. Class teachers on their part should foster a more positive approach towards parental involvement in their children’s learning to help encourage less involved parents to get more involved.