Dr Abiodun Olawumi Olalekan, Dr Elizabeth Oluwaseyi Bello, Oluwatobiloba Faith Adekunle & Dr Seun Weyinmi Ajagbe
Abstract
The study investigated the influence of parental attitude and cultural beliefs on secondary school female students’ enrolment in Afijio Local Government Area. A descriptive survey research design was adopted and the population of the study comprised of all parents in Afijio Local Government. The sample for the study was 200 parents drawn from the population using a stratified random sampling technique. One research question and three hypotheses guided the study. Self structured questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation to answer the research question, while inferential statistical tool of multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. The findings indicated that parental attitude (β = 0.42, p < 0.05) plays a significant role in the enrolment of female students in secondary school. Cultural beliefs (β = 0.38, p < 0.05) significantly influenced female students enrolment decisions and both were jointly found, with R² = 0.37, to influence the female students’ enrolment in the study area. The study recommended, among others, that government and NGOs should organize community campaigns to enlighten parents on the long-term benefits of educating girls, including economic empowerment.