Influence Of The Determinants Of Parental Involvement In Lower Primary School Pupils’ Homework In Laikipia County Kenya

ABSTRACT

While research indicates that parental involvement in children’s homework has many benefits, there is evidence that parental involvement in homework is low internationally. Locally, studies have not given much attention to the ways in which parents get involved in children’s homework and the possible determinants to their involvement, mainly at the lower primary school level which forms part of Early Childhood Development and Education. This study therefore sought to identify the ways in which parents get involved in their lower primary pupils’ homework. It also explored the factors that might determine this involvement including, parental occupation, educational level and parental gender although there exists other factors that influence parental involvement in homework. The study targeted parents, standard two teachers’ and children from public schools in the Laikipia East sub county. Three schools out of 43 schools were sampled and twenty parents purposively selected to form the study sample. The study was guided by Joyce Epstein’s model of overlapping spheres of influence which argues that most effective families and schools work have common characteristics. The study adapted an exploratory approach using a descriptive survey design. The aim of this research was to make recommendations for the formation of effective programs on parental involvement in homework of their ECDE children suited to Kenyan public primary schools so that pupils, teachers and parents can derive the greatest benefits from the study. The study adapted qualitative approach methodology and used interview schedules and questionnaires as data collecting instruments. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the findings were presented by use of graphs, tables and charts. The study established that most parents are involved in assisting their lower primary children with homework in various ways. It also found out that illiterate parents are less involved in assisting their children with homework. The study also established that there is significance association between parents’ occupation and their involvement in children’s homework. In addition mothers were more involved in their lower primary school children homework than fathers. The study recommended that parental participation in their children’s homework should be enhanced in order to support children’s academic performance.