Project – Parental Involvement and Its Influence on Students’ Attitude to Learning in Public Secondary Schools in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Education is widely recognized as a vital instrument for individual development and national progress. It equips individuals with knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for meaningful participation in society. While schools play a central role in the educational process, the family, particularly parents, constitutes the first and most influential learning environment for children. Parental involvement in education has therefore been identified as a key factor influencing students’ academic success, motivation, and attitude toward learning.

Parental involvement refers to the active participation of parents in their children’s educational activities both at home and in school. This involvement may include monitoring homework, attending school meetings, communicating with teachers, providing learning materials, and creating a supportive home learning environment. Researchers have consistently emphasized that when parents show interest in their children’s education, students are more likely to develop positive attitudes toward learning and exhibit improved academic and behavioural outcomes (Epstein, 2018).

Students’ attitude to learning plays a crucial role in determining their level of engagement, persistence, and overall academic performance. Attitude to learning encompasses students’ feelings, beliefs, motivation, and disposition toward schoolwork and educational activities. A positive attitude to learning encourages curiosity, active participation, and resilience, whereas a negative attitude may lead to poor concentration, absenteeism, and low academic achievement (Ajayi & Ogunyemi, 2020).

At the secondary school level, students undergo significant physical, emotional, and social changes that can influence their learning behaviour. During this stage, parental guidance and support become increasingly important, as students may be exposed to peer pressure and other social influences that can affect their attitude to education. Parental involvement can provide emotional stability, reinforce the value of education, and help students navigate academic challenges.

In Nigeria, government efforts to improve access to secondary education through policies such as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme have led to increased school enrolment. However, concerns persist regarding students’ poor attitude to learning, particularly in public secondary schools. Issues such as lack of motivation, truancy, poor study habits, and indifference toward schoolwork have been widely reported (Obi & Eze, 2019). These challenges have prompted educators and researchers to examine factors beyond the school environment that may influence students’ attitudes to learning.

In Enugu State, public secondary schools serve a large population of students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Nsukka Local Government Area, known for its educational institutions and cultural heritage, is not exempt from the challenges facing public secondary education. Observations by teachers and school administrators in the area indicate that many students display lukewarm attitudes toward learning, as evidenced by poor class participation, incomplete assignments, and declining academic commitment. One factor that may be contributing to this situation is the varying level of parental involvement in students’ education.

Socio-economic pressures, occupational demands, and limited educational awareness may affect parents’ ability to participate actively in their children’s schooling. Some parents may assume that the responsibility for education lies solely with teachers and schools, thereby limiting their involvement. This lack of parental engagement may negatively influence students’ perception of education and their attitude toward learning. It is within this context that this study seeks to examine parental involvement and its influence on students’ attitude to learning in public secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the recognized importance of parental involvement in enhancing students’ educational outcomes, many public secondary schools in Nigeria continue to experience challenges related to students’ poor attitude to learning. In Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, teachers and school administrators have expressed concern over students’ declining interest in academic activities, lack of motivation, and negative disposition toward learning.

Many students exhibit behaviours such as irregular attendance, failure to complete homework, poor study habits, and minimal participation in classroom activities. These behaviours suggest an underlying problem with students’ attitude to learning, which may hinder their academic success and personal development. While school-related factors such as teaching methods and learning resources have been widely studied, the role of parental involvement in shaping students’ attitudes to learning has received limited empirical attention in the study area.

Observations indicate that some parents in Nsukka Local Government Area are minimally involved in their children’s education due to factors such as busy work schedules, low educational background, or economic challenges. In some cases, parents rarely attend school meetings, monitor academic progress, or provide adequate learning support at home. This lack of involvement may send negative signals to students regarding the value of education, thereby influencing their attitude to learning.

The problem of this study, therefore, is the apparent poor attitude to learning among students in public secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area and the unclear extent to which parental involvement influences this attitude. There is a need for empirical investigation to determine the relationship between parental involvement and students’ attitude to learning in the study area.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine parental involvement and its influence on students’ attitude to learning in public secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. determine the level of parental involvement in students’ education in public secondary schools;

2. examine students’ attitude to learning in the study area;

3. determine the influence of parental involvement on students’ attitude to learning;

4. identify challenges affecting effective parental involvement in students’ education.

1.4 Research Question

1. What influence does parental involvement have on students’ attitude to learning in public secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis was tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: Parental involvement has no significant influence on students’ attitude to learning in public secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be beneficial to parents, teachers, school administrators, and education policymakers. Parents will gain awareness of the importance of their involvement in shaping their children’s attitude to learning. Teachers and school administrators will use the findings to strengthen home–school partnerships and encourage parental participation in school activities.

Education policymakers and guidance counsellors may also utilize the findings to design programmes and policies that promote parental involvement in secondary education. Furthermore, the study will contribute to existing literature and serve as a reference for future researchers in the field of educational psychology and administration.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is limited to public secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. It focuses on parental involvement and its influence on students’ attitude to learning. Private secondary schools are excluded from the study.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

• Parental Involvement: The participation of parents in their children’s educational activities at home and in school.

• Students’ Attitude to Learning: Students’ feelings, motivation, interest, and disposition toward academic activities.

• Public Secondary Schools: Government-owned secondary schools under the supervision of the State Ministry of Education.

• Students: Learners enrolled in public secondary schools within Nsukka Local Government Area.

Project – Parental Involvement and Its Influence on Students’ Attitude to Learning in Public Secondary Schools in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State