Influence Of Parental Income And Siblings On Students’ Academic Performance In Public Day Secondary Schools

Studies have revealed that various factors are responsible for scholastic failure of students, such as low socio-economic background, student’s cognitive abilities, school related factors, environment of the home, or the support given by the parents, and other family members (Fan, 2001). Generally, schools are considered as places which provide appropriate learning environment for a child, but the importance of parents and community cannot be ignored. Parents, adult family members, and siblings contribute significantly to various components of personality of the child particularly, and in improving his/her academic performance. According to Etelej (2011), the statistics summary of results from KCSE 2010 to 2013, are not encouraging. In 2010 KCSE results had 260,966 (73%) candidates scoring C, and below, whereas the examination was sat by 357,488 candidates, only 96,522 (27%) obtained mean grade of C+, and above, which is considered the minimum university entry benchmark. Likewise in 2011KCSE results, out of 411,783 candidates, 119,658 (29.1%) scored C+, and above, whereas C, and below are 292,125 (70.9%). According to Kipkelion Annual Report (2012) the performance of Kipkelion Sub-County in KCSE has been dismal for the last five years (2007 2012), in which out of 7238 candidates for the period of (2008-2011), those who scored C+, and above constituted 1731 (23.92%) while those scored C (plain), and below are 5507 (76.08%). Thus, out of this statistics it showed that the overall performance was very low with the whole Sub-County producing only 1731(23.92%) out of 7238, in which boarding schools produced a significant number of 724(38.82%) out of 1865 candidates enrolled in KCSE examinations compared with 1007(18.74%) out of 5373 candidates from day secondary schools who did the same examination. Further, from the same statistics, students who attained B+, and above for direct entry to university in the whole district were 221(3.05%) out of 7238, in which boarding schools produced a significant number of 106(5.68%) out of 1865 candidates enrolled in KCSE examination compared Abstract: Over the past several decades, scholars have been concerned with the poor academic performance of children. Kipkelion Sub-county academic performance has been dismal for the last five years (2007 2012). Study investigated the influence of home environment on students’ academic performance on the influence of parental income and number of siblings on students’ academic performance in public day secondary schools, based on Ecology System Theory by Bronfenbrenner. The sample was 210 form four students selected using stratified and simple random sampling based on the causal-comparative research design, since manifestations of independent variables on dependent variable had already occurred. A questionnaire was used to solicit information on students’ home environment. Whereas, document analysis was used to collect information about the students’ academic performance based on Mock Examination. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as: t-test, (ANOVA), the results revealed that parental income significantly influenced students’ academic performance. However, number of siblings had no effect on students’ academic performance. Study recommends investing in their education by provision adequate learning materials for example: text books, furniture, lighting, and ample study space at home.