On poor performance of students in schools

It is important to know that inability of the parents to discharge their duties as responsible mothers, fathers and guardians has contributed to the colossal failure students experience in public examination. Over the years, there has been an outcry of reclining academic performance of students in major public examinations which include WAEC, NECO and JAMB. […]

It is important to know that inability of the parents to discharge their duties as responsible mothers, fathers and guardians has contributed to the colossal failure students experience in public examination. Over the years, there has been an outcry of reclining academic performance of students in major public examinations which include WAEC, NECO and JAMB. Most researchers have looked into school and structural factors, but there are factors from home that also inhibit the successful performance of students in schools. A lot has been said concerning the school factor that contribute to students’ failure like lack of modern educational facilities in school, non-conducive learning environment for students, teachers that are not motivated, non-availability of instructional materials etc. but the home factor also must not be overlooked.
 According to many researchers, home factors are inherent indices from the family and immediate environment that have significant repercussions on the educational attainment of students. There are several indices of home factor that are affecting the performance of students at school which will be enumerated below.
One of the major home factors that causes poor academic performance of students in school is marital disharmony between parents. Instability of the home or regular misunderstandings between the parents can mar the academic success of a child. A turbulent home or home full of strife with constant disagreement and fighting will definitely affect the emotional stability of the child, which will subsequently affect his studies. According to the scientists, at least 5 out of 10 homes are faced with matrimonial dispute while the rate of divorce is on the increase every day. Harmonious and happy home where love reigns between parents, will create conducive environment and motivation that will spur children into a world of greater academic achievements.
Also, lack of substantial time for interaction and communication with children has marred the academic potentials of many children and turn them into deviants. Many parents are too busy to know what is going on in the lives of their children. Some parents left the care of their children at the mercy of a domestic helps that know next to nothing as regards educational assistance he/she can render to make a child succeed academically. This has a lot to do with lack of family support and encouragement that can make a child improve on his performance at school.
Another major contributing factor to student’s failure in school can be linked to the socio- economic status of the parents. There is a relationship between the socio-economic status of the parent and academic performance of the student because the higher the income of the family, the greater the parent’s ability to provide for the educational needs of the students and vice versa. The student’s family income will determine the kind of school he or she goes to, the kind of environment they live, the exposure he or she has etc. A student whose parent cannot afford internet access, while all his colleagues benefit from such would be disadvantaged to a certain degree as regards reading more on a particular subject area.
Researcher Andre Matthais of University of Malaya said: “Where you were born predicts how successful you will be. Children of parents with a labour background will receive socialization that emphasises obedience because that is how parents achieved what they have. They learnt to follow instructions. Since parents want the best for their children, they will socialize them in a way that they are obedient in the school. That does not include thinking out of the box”. He found out in his research that children from intellectual parents received socialization that is based on reflection and innovation. Hence, they grow up exploring their environment and learning how to solve problems. He submitted that this kind of exposure will make them better students while studying.
In recent times, social media has also caused many students more harm than good. It has destroyed the life of many good and brilliant students because it consumes too much of their time. Some parents provide cell phones, computer, laptop, video games etc for their children. This has caused a lot of distraction for them as against reading their books and doing academic work. Some of these children can spend up to 2 hours surfing the internet, browsing, pinging on blackberry, using facebook, whatsapp, 2go, twitter, instagram and many more, at the expense of reading their books.
In a certain study carried out recently in University of Jos, Nigeria, it was found out also that parenting styles are correlated with children’s academic performance. Authoritative parenting has positive influence on children’s motivation to study, while too strict authoritarian parenting style and permissive parents have less positive influence on children motivation to learn.
The implication in this article is that being a non- involving parent in the educational pursuit of our children or wards are having devastating consequences as can be seen in the results of our students in public examination over the years. Parents should sit up and performed their roles as the first teachers created by God to teach and lead the children aright. The onus is on the parents to allocate adequate time for the academics of their children and follow up on their school activities as necessary. Also, family support and encouragement for studies can go a long way in improving the academic performance of our children in schools.
Olajumoke Olufunminiyi, +234 8068640721 [email protected]