Dr Dorcas Oluremi Fareo
Abstract
The study examined the influence of single parenting on academic performance of junior secondary school students. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study was 11,745 students. Sample size of 400 students was drawn by stratified sampling technique. A self-developed instrument titled “Influence of Single Parenting on Academic Performance of Junior Secondary School Students” was used in data collection. The validity of the research instrument was carried out by two experts. The reliability coefficient was 0.81 using split half reliability method. Examination records of JSS II-III students were collected to determine their academic performances. Data were analyzed using mean, Standard Deviation and t-test analysis. The study revealed that the challenges faced by students in single parents included negative emotional and mental adjustment, and lack of quality time by parents to spend at home. There was a significant difference between the academic performance of students from single home and two parent’s home. It was recommended that school counsellors should offer necessary help and psychological support for students from single parent homes to overcome their academic and emotional problems.