THE IMPACT OF PARENTAL SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ONDO STATE

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of parental socioeconomic factors on academic performance among secondary school students in Ondo State, Nigeria. The research was motivated by the persistent educational disparities observed among students, which are often linked to differences in parental income, education level, occupation, and living conditions. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and used structured questionnaires to collect data from 200 randomly selected students across various public and private secondary schools in the state. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean scores and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that parental socioeconomic status significantly influences students’ academic performance. Specifically, students whose parents had higher levels of education, stable employment, higher income, and better living conditions tended to perform better academically than their peers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The study found that inadequate parental income, low educational attainment, and poor housing conditions were major barriers to students' learning and school engagement. These findings align with Social Reproduction Theory and Human Capital Theory, which suggest that socioeconomic inequalities are often transmitted across generations and play a critical role in educational outcomes. The study concludes that addressing educational inequality requires deliberate policy actions that support economically disadvantaged families, improve access to quality education, and promote community awareness. Based on the findings, the study recommends increased governmental support for low-income families, parental education initiatives, and school-based interventions aimed at supporting students from less privileged backgrounds. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on educational inequality in Nigeria and underscores the need for an inclusive educational system that promotes equity and academic excellence for all students, regardless of their family background.