THE INFLUENCE OF SINGLE PARENT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS BASED ON SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of single parenting on the academic performance of secondary schools students based on social studies education. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The target population were junior secondary schools in Epe Local Government Lagos State. The total population was 100 made up of 46 males and 54 females. The questionnaire comprised 15 close-ended items. The researcher’s supervisors validated the instrument. Reliability was established with Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.80 Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages and the independent sample t-test. All tests were determined at 0.05 significance levels. These findings align with studies by Pittman (2003) and Davis-Kean (2009), which highlight the role of socioeconomic stress and reduced parental involvement in shaping student outcomes. However, some scholars, such as Jallinoja (2010), argue that strong social support systems can mitigate these effects and foster. Again it was revealed that the main area of effects of single parenting on the academic work of pupils had to do with single parents not providing all the books their children need on time. The outcome of the study was used as a basis to recommend to school authorities, community leaders, government agencies, NGOs and professional guidance and counselling coordinators to work together by organizing school durbars, parent-teacher meetings and making use of such fora to enable parents know that their supervision of their children is vital to the success of their academic work.