Table of Contents
DECLARATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
DEDICATION
ABSTRACT
.
iv
Supervisors’ approval sheet v
ABBREVIATIONS
CHAPTER ONE 1
TNTRODUCTION 1
1.1 .Olntroduction 1
1 .2.OBackground to the Problem 1
1.3.OStatement of the Problem 2
1.4.OPurpose of the Study 5
1.5.OObjectives of the Study 5
1.6.OResearch Tasks and Questions 5
ResearchTask1~ s
Research questions~ 6
Research Task 2 6
Research questions 6
Researchtask3~ 6
Research questions 7
Researchtask4 7
Research questiow 7
1.7.0 Significouldce of the Study 7
1.8.ODefinitions of Key Terms and Concepts 8
vi
1.9.OConceptual Framework .10
1.10.ODelimitation of the Study 12
1.11 .OLimitations of the Study 13
1.12.OOrganization of the Study 13
1.13.OSummary 14
CHAPTER TWO 15
LITERATURE REVIEW 15
2.1 .Olntroduction 15
2.2.OPerformance of Students from Single Parent and Two Parents Families 16
2.3.OPerformance of Students from Single Father and Two Parents Families 17
2.4.OPerformance of Students from Single Mother and Two Parents Families 18
2.5.OMeasures Taken to Help Students from Single Parenthood 19
2.6.OSummary 20
CHAPTER THREE 21
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 21
3.1 .Olntroduction 21
3.2.OResearch Design 21
3.3 .OArea of Study 22
3.4.OTarget Population 23
3.5.OSample and Sampling Procedures 24
3.5.lSample 24
Table 3.1: Sample Composition of Categories of Respondents 25
3.5.2Sampling Procedures 25
3.6.0 Data Collection 27
3.6.1 Sources of Data 27
vfl
3 .6.2Data Collection Techniques 28
3.6.2.llnterviews 28
3.6.2.2Documentary Reviews 29
3.6.2.3Questionnaires 30
3.7.OValidity and Reliability of Data Collection Instruments 30
3.7.lValidity 30
3.7.2Reliability 31
3.8.OData Analysis Procedure 31
3.9.OEthical Consideration in Conducting Research 32
3.9.lResearch Permission 32
3.9.2lnformed Consent of Respondents 32
3.9.3Confidentiality 33
3.10.OSummary 33
CHAPTER FOUR 34
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 34
4.1 .Olntroduction 34
4.2.OPerformance of Students from Single and Two Parents Families 34
4.2.1 Students’ Family Structures 35
Table 4.1: Students Questionnaire Responses on their Family Structures 35
4.2.2Students’ Family Structures Support on Performance 36
Table 4.2: Student’s Family Structures Support on Performance (N=80) 37
4.2.3Types of Support given to Students by Single Parent Families 38
Table 4.3: Types of Support given by the Single Parenthoods (N=80) 39
Table 4.4: Single Parents’ Interview Responses on Academic Help ~N=20) 41
4.2.4Effects of Single Parenthood on Paying for School Expenses 42
ABSTRACT A single parent is one either a man or woman who was living independently with his children without the other partner they had had children or a child with. Single-parent-families are now very common to many societies today particularly kapchorwa and this were caused by separation of the parents, divorce and death. This study seeks therefore to investigate the influence of single-parent-families on academic performance of secondary school students in Kapchorwa town council. In this study, the comparative research design was used coupled with qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The design was good in dealing with cause and effect relationships of variables involved in such studies. This study therefore gathered qualitative and quantitative data for students’ academic performances scored, and learner’s attitudes towards schooling through the use of questionnaires, interview schedules and documentary review. Or related literature. This approach allowed greater interaction between the researcher and informants/respondents. The findings revealed that the mean mark of students from single parenthood was higher than that of students from two parent families. Also, students from mother-headed families had a much lower mean mark while those from two parent families had a higher mean mark they differ by approximately 2.7%. Furthermore, the mean mark of students from father-headed households was approximately higher than those from mother headed families and that of students from two parent families who scored 31.9% by an average score of 7.8% It was thus generalized that students from single parent families had mean academic performances that were lower than that of students from two parent families. Thus the government, school administrators, counselors and teachers, as well as parents and school communities, should altogether provide for necessities that students from single parent families need alongside love, care and emotional support for better performance in school and also to make them better citizens in this country.