Abstract

Single parenting is increasing at an alarming rate in Kenya. Single parenting comes with burden as all the responsibilities of bringing up children is left to only one parent unlike to a case where both parents are present. Learners from single parents are likely to experience diverse challenges in their learning compared to their counterparts from families with both parents. There is upsurge in single parenting in Kiambu County where almost every 4 out of 10 learners are from single parent families. The aimed at investigating effects of single parents on the academic performance of learners in public primary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine effects of monitoring of children by single parents on the academic performance of learners and to establish the effect of motivation of children by single parents on the academic performance of learners in public primary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study utilized descriptive survey research design. Stratified random sampling was used to select 264 respondents who included: 96 parents, 96 Grade 6 learners, 46 teachers and 24 head teachers in 24 randomly sampled public primary schools in Kiambu County. Questionnaires, interview schedule and FGD schedule were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study adopted multiple regression analysis model. It was realized that both monitoring and motivation of children was practiced using varied methods by single parents in public primary schools. The study findings further indicated that both monitoring and motivation of children by single parents had significant positive effect on the academic performance of learners in public primary schools. It was further realized that both monitoring and motivation of children by single parents was better among children brought up by single mother compared to children brought up single fathers and which had proportionate effect on the academic performance of learners in public primary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study recommends to teachers and school administration to sensitize parents on how to monitor learning of their children and come up with motivation programs to appreciate better performance of learners. Parents should establish rewards strategies for their children on good performance at home. Ministry of Education (MOE) should train Board of Managements (BOMs) and parents on their role in monitoring learning of their children.