INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL BACKGROUND ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN
ABSTRACT
This project was designed to research into the influence of home background on the academic performance of children in selected schools in Edo State. In doing this, three research questions were stated and some basic assumptions made. A sample of one hundred students was drawn out of three selected schools; the research instrument used was the questionnaires while the data analysis involved the use of the research questions.
CHAPER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
        Over the years, the nation has been experiencing a drastic fall in the academic performance of pupils and students at the various level of education.  Scholars of different school of though has attributed this ugly trend to many factor such as poor teaching methodology, inadequate instructional facilities and a lot more from the look of things, these scholars seems to heap the blames either on the student or the teachers who most times are not actually the immediate causes.
        However, a chose observation reveals that this trend has an undeniable relationship with one parental background in terms of their socio-economic status.  Only recently the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria president Olusegun Obasenjo in his monthly presidential media chat, held in October 2003, cried out in regards to the poor academic situation terms that our----'' graduates are fast becoming more of half baked graduated---'' what a mess.
        Meanwhile, as this scenario continues to thrive, many more meaningful individuals both from the academic and non-academic field  of the society not only shares their grievances they also point accusing fingers towards the teachers and the students. They give little or no attention to the student's socio-economic background, which from act appearances seem to be one fundamental cause of poor academic performance in school.
        We have it on records that a child spends more time at home with his or her parents than he or she spends in school.  This makes the home of greater influence in this regard.  Little or no wonder it is said ''charity begins at home''
        Be that as it may, we cannot over labour the fact that poor performance of a country's citizens at various level of education has a way of tarnishing or beautifying that countries image.
        Considering the magnitude of this problem, it therefore becomes very expedient that this project be carried out as it is hoped that it will help in savaging the problem or situation as it were, to a very reasonable extent.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
        It is almost becoming a common and accepted knowledge those poor performances of student in our school is due to the inadequacies of teachers or student non-challant attitude to study.  This is purely a wrong assumption that needs an investigation as we cannot afford to loss sight of the drastic effect that ones parental background have on the academic performance of the child.
        It is in cognisance of this that the following questions become very important.
1.           What role does the socio-economic position of parent's play in the academic performance of the child?
2.           To what extent does the level of education of parents affect the academic performance of pupils
3.           Is there any relationship between living condition at home and academic performance of pupils?
4.           How does the family structure in terms of monogamy, polygamy and size affect the academic achievement of  student
5.           How far does the attitude of parents and guidance affect the academic performance of students?
PURPOSE OF STUDY
        The purpose of this study are one to establish the affects that ones parental background poses on the academic performance of the child.
        And two to suggest possible solutions on how student from poor homes can get along in their educational pursuit.
 
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
        This researcher work shall be of up most significance to three (3) categories of persons.
(1)        Curriculum/Educational planners
(2)        Teachers
(3)        And of course parent/guidance it will be significant to curriculum or educational planners in that it will help them in planning adequately for students from different homes.
In the same vein, it will enable the teachers to know that students are not solely responsible for their poor performance thereby creating an avenue for the teacher to come to grips with some of the impact that parents background poses avail the teacher the opportunity to design a corrective measure which if adhered to, would spur both the teachers and pupils to greater academic achievement.
        Over and above all, this study will serve as a challenge to parents to improving the conditions of the home thereby propelling their child (pupil) to greater heights.
SCOPE OF STUDY
        This study was carried out in some selected secondary schools in  Local Government of Edo State.  These schools does include.
1.           Igbanke grammer school Igbanke
2.           Oligie mixed secondary school
3.           Igbanke
4.           Ogan Mixed Secondary School Ogan
5.           Owah Secondary School Oweh
The investigation covered S.S.S 1-3 using at least ten (10) student randomly selected from each of the classes in the different schools so selected.
        More so, some homes in Orhionmwon were also visited.
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
        In order for the researcher to proffer solutions to the problem under investigation, the following assumptions were made.
That:
        One, the level of education of parent affects the academic performance of students.
        Two, the socio-economic position of parents plays a dominant role in the academic performance of the child.
        Three, there is an undeniable relationship between living condition at home and the academic performance of students.
        Four, the family structure in terms of monogamy, polygamy and size generally, affects the academic achievement of students.
        Lastly, the attitude of parents and guidance affects the academic performance of students.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
        All the terms used throughout the study was used in their denotative and general meaning and as such would not need any ''special definition''.