EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN’S ACADEMICPERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF NZAUI SUB-COUNTY, MAKUENI COUNTY,KENYA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66055/n36twf48Keywords:
Poverty, Academic Performance, Preschool Education, Learning Environment, and Parental InvolvementAbstract
The purpose of this study was to establish
the effects of poverty on the academic
performance of preschoolers in Nzaui Sub
County. Five research questions were
formulated to guide the study. The study
employed a descriptive survey research
design, and data was collected through the
use of questionnaires. It was found that
parents were unable to provide their children
with learning resources, which affected their
academic performance. It was also revealed
that children who came from poor families
had a learning environment that was not
conducive, thus affecting their learning. The
findings revealed that children were at times
forced to be absent from school to do other
jobs at home, such as looking after their
siblings or performing other tasks, which
affected their academic performance. It was
also found that parents' economic standards
were low, and they were unable to support
their children's education, which also had an
impact on their academic performance.
Additionally, it was discovered that the
living environment was not suitable to
support children's education such as
adequate space for homework. Based on the
findings, it was concluded that family
conditions, influenced by poverty, affected
children's academic performance. Given the
above findings, it was recommended that
there is a need to support pre-schools by
providing the necessary resources that are
not accessible to parents. It was also
recommended that the government make
pre-school education free, enabling more
children to access it. Furthermore, based on
the findings, the research recommended
conducting a study on how parents'
economic activities contribute to the
academic performance of their children.
Since this study was conducted in one area,
it is suggested that the same study be
replicated in other areas.
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