Effect of Parents’ Participation in Secondary Schools Activities on Students’ Academic Achievement: A Case of Nyabihu District, Rwanda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of parents’ participation and students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Nyabihu district, Rwanda. In Rwandan culture, parents are the primary foundation of their children’s learning, whereby parents have primarily responsibilities to train children in different cultural activities that intend to educate them in different key values, skills, attitudes, and knowledge. This research was conducted under the following guiding research objectives: To examine the effect of parents’ participation in financial activities on students’ academic performance and to assess the effect of parents’ participation in academic activities on students’ academic performance. The study adopted a descriptive and correlational research design to answer some research questions, and the data were analysed quantitatively. This research used a target population of 1224, while the sample from the target population was 301 participants obtained using Sloven’s formula. Data collection used a structured questionnaire, interviews, and documentation. The data collection was analysed through the mean of percentages, means, standard deviation, and regression analysis. Findings of the first objective showed that there were financial activities that parents participated in that increased the academic performance of their children. The results of the second objective reported that parents’ participation in academic activities inevitably increases students’ academic performance. Hence, the study revealed that parents’ participation in school activities has a great positive effect on students’ academic performance. The study recommends that parents take their children's studying seriously by involving them in financial activities and academic activities in order to be aware of their children's learning situation. In addition, schools have to create a good environment that encourages parents to collaborate with the teachers to enhance students’ academic performance. Parents or guardians must attend the different meetings organized by schools, such as PTAs. Government officials should encourage parental involvement in teaching and learning activities in order to enhance children’s academic performance.