Family Welfare and Performance of Students in Secondary Schools in Kakoba Zone in Mbarara Municipality

ABSTRACT This study investigated family welfare and the performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone in Mbarara Municipality. This was after the realisation that the family welfare plays a major role in the performance of students. Family welfare nurtures an individual socially, mentally and economically. The study specifically sought to achieve the following objectives: to find out the influence of the level of education of the parents on the performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone in Mbarara Municipality; to investigate the influence of the family income on the performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone in Mbarara Municipality; and to establish the influence of the parents marital status on the performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone in Mbarara Municipality. The study design took the form of a case study design and purposive sampling in which the data sought were qualitative. A sample of 50 respondents was selected for the study. The data were collected using interviews and observations [for primary data] and documents analysis [for secondary data]. Data were qualitatively analysed by the literal description, narration and quoting in verbatim. This was followed by content analysis in order to make conclusions with great authenticity. The study established that family welfare significantly influences the performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone (e.g., performance was positively influenced by the parents’ level of education; income and marital status). The study revealed that pupils’ performance rose with an improvement in the family welfare in the following areas: increase in the education of the parents; increase in the income of the parents; and improvement in the stability of the marriage and vice versa. The study concludes by noting the following: the level of education of the parents continues to influence performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone since it directly determines the nature of the school a kid is sent to and the working relations between the school, student and teacher; family income continues to be a major determinant in the performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone as it dictated the quality of the school a kid is sent and whether a kid will have access to study materials, pay fees in time, have coaching or attend field studies; and the performance of students in secondary schools in Kakoba Zone is correlated x to the nature, quality and stability of the marital status of the parents. High performers [students] were majorly from families with organized and stable marriages. The study recommends the following: sensitization of the parents about their roles since they are the main stakeholders in the education of their children (e.g., through community radios, TVs, Internet and newspapers) other than leaving the task to the teachers [school]; strengthening of money generating projects for families (i.e., projects that alleviate poverty) so that their children are in school timely and also have access to scholastic materials [such as books]; and a strategic approach to strengthen family values and morality and laws that protection of the most vulnerable such as children and women who suffer most in the event of a divorce, separation or domestic violence.