THE EFFECT OF PARENT SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS ON UPPER BASIC STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Academic accomplishment of students, particularly at the secondary school level, is not only a yardstick of a school's effectiveness, but also a key predictor of youths' and the nation's futures. Learning is the means via which individuals may become more connected to national educational goals. Learning outcomes have become a topic of widespread interest, which is why academics have been collaborating to identify elements that hinder academic success. This phenomena has been variously referred to in literature as academic accomplishment or scholastic functioning, according to Aremu & Sokau, (2002). Scholars, parents, policymakers, and planners have all taken notice of students' academic achievements. According to Adeyemo (2001), the school's primary purpose is to help students achieve academic achievement. According to him, while the school may have other goals, the emphasis is always on achieving high academic standards. Furthermore, practically every stakeholder in school sets a premium on academic accomplishment; parents frequently demand high academic achievement from their children (Osiki 2001). Prior experiences, personal attributes, and social supports all influence how kids learn at the start of an activity. The latter refers to the extent to which parents and instructors encourage kids to study, make learning materials available to them, and teach them ways for improving skill acquisition and refining. Parents' academic goals for their children have a direct and indirect impact on their children's academic progress (Bandura & Pastorelli, 2001). In most of the literature, the impact of socioeconomic background on students' academic success at the individual level is still there, although less so. Two indicators of parent's expectations had a somewhat larger effect than economic factors, according to a research of mother only, mother extended family, and two parents' homes with children enforced through third grades. In a review of data from the Nigeria Education Research Program's longitudinal research, the impacts of past success are larger than poverty in upper basic and basic school children (2011). Nigeria, Africa, and the rest of the world are convinced that a large part of it depends on the type of education that the government can provide to its citizens, because it is believed that good educational strategies for her citizens can unravel and solve all of the nation's social, economic, and technological problems. The home environment, or family, has been identified as having a significant impact on students' academic attainment (Ajiha & Olutola, 2000). The focus of research has been on the students' socioeconomic backgrounds. Other factors of the parental environment, such as family structure, have been mostly ignored, although, according to Ichado (2000), persistent parental dispute impacts children emotionally, which can lead to low academic progress in school. Akow (2001) looked on the academic success gap between rural and urban areas. He discovered that parents with a high or moderate socioeconomic class not only have higher aspirations for their children, but also have more accomplishments than parents with a low socioeconomic status. In light of the aforementioned, the purpose of this study is to look at the impact of socioeconomic background on the academic performance of upper basic students, with a focus on the influence of their parents and families on the educational opportunities available in Nigeria. 1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM In previous years, it has been observed that students from socioeconomic disadvantage backgrounds perform poorly academically; disadvantaged UBE students do not achieve the same level of success as students from affluent socioeconomic families; this is attributed to parents' ability to provide the basic amenities required to facilitate and improve a good learning environment for their children. As a result of the aforementioned social disadvantage, it has become increasingly difficult for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds to get a degree level of education; those who do, struggle against the tides and storms of life to achieve such a goal. They face several obstacles, which can occasionally jeopardize their admittance to a higher education school. Despite the efforts of researchers, parents, and other educational stakeholders, poor academic attainment of upper elementary pupils is a recurring problem that is critical in today's generation. Therefore, is upon this premise that this study seeks to ascertain the effect of parent socio-economic status on upper basic students’ academic achievement. 1.3    OBJECTIVES  OF THE STUDY The main purpose of the study is to ascertain the effect of parent socio-economic status on upper basic students’ academic achievement.. Specifically, the study aims at determining the following objectives:

i.          Determine whether upper basic students’ from rich families perform better than those in poor families. 

ii.        Ascertain whether parent level of income has any impact on upper basic students’ academic performance

iii.      Investigate whether  parent level of education  has any  effect on upper basic students’ academic performance.

iv.      Examine whether  parent occupation type  has any impact on  upper basic students’ academic performance.

1.4      RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In a quest to achieve the stated objectives, the following research questions were raised to guide the research and make it a comprehensible area of study.

i.          Does  students’ from rich families perform better than those in poor families?

ii.        Do parent level of income has any impact on upper basic students’ academic performance?

iii.      Does parent level of education  has any  effect on upper basic students’ academic performance?

iv.      Does  parent occupation type  has any impact on  upper basic students’ academic performance?

1.5      SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The usefulness of this research work; if the result of the study is properly utilized will be of enormous benefit to the students, teachers, parents and governments. It will expose the students to various influences of socioeconomic background on their academic pursuit.This work will help the parents to understand the need for adequate parental care on their ward(s) academic pursuit. Nonetheless, serving as a mirror to parents; reflecting their attitudes towards their children education. It will help instructors and education policy makers to develop better strategies and pedagogic programs for the students, thus providing a conducive learning environment for the students. Facilitators who really have the urge to make impact in the life of the students will find this work very beneficial as it will help them in appreciating the efforts of individual students with respect to their level of intelligent quotients. Without doubt, this research work will be a springboard for other research works in related field or topic.

1.6      SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This  study focuses only on the effect of parent socio-economic status on upper basic students’ academic achievement without further consideration of other factors that may possibly affect the achievement of the study. It will focus on how the parents socio economic variables such as  Parent level of education and parent occupation type and income can affect the academic achievement. The study is however delimited selected Junior Secondary school (Upper basic) in Abraka metropolis in Delta State, Nigeria.

1.7  LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that it is a new discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only  selected junior  secondary school   in Abraka metropolis in Delta State, Nigeria. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other ministry in other States within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint  encountered during the  research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.8      DEFINITION OF TERMS

Academic: Relating to education and scholarship.

Achieve: Bring about or accomplish by effort, skill, or courage.

Background: The circumstances prevailing at a particular time or underlying an event, a person’s education, experience and social circumstances

Basic: Forming an essential foundation

Socio economic: relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors.

Upper: situated above another part. Higher in position or status.

Students: A person studying at the university or other place of higher Education; or a school pupil.School: An institution for educating students.

Education: The process of educating or being educated.

Environment: the surrounding or environment in which a person, animal, or pant lives or operates.