Influence of mothers’ occupational status on students academic achievement in sultan Muhammadu Maccido insititute for Qur‘anic and general studies Sokoto state, Nigeria.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to find influence of mothers’ occupational status on students academic achievement in Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Insititute For Qur‘anic and General Studies Sokoto State, Nigeria. The study was guided by the following specific objectives, To find out the extent to which working mothers influence their children academic achievements, To find out the extent to which non working mothers influence their children academic achievement, To examine the difference between academic achievement of working mothers’ children and those children of non working mothers Furthermore, three research hypotheses were established to find out the statistical relationship, and to strengthen validity of the findings as regard to objectives. A cross sectional survey design was used, purposive sampling was used in selecting sample, 246 out of 3567. A questionnaire titled mothers occupational status and student academic achievement (MOSSAQ) and the end term scores of the students were used. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS. The results as computed using Pearson correlation coefficient shows that the correlation revealed a high positive correlation (r = .659) between working mothers attention and students’ academic achievement. Considering the p-value (sig. = .000 < .05), was therefore suggested that there is a statistically significant relationship between working mothers and students’ academic achievement, secondly non-working mothers attention and students’ academic achievement. The result of the correlation revealed a moderate and positive correlation (r = .426) between non-working mothers attention and students’ academic achievement. Considering the p-value (sig. = .000 < .05), it was therefore suggested that there is a statistically significant relationship between non-working mothers and students’ academic achievement, finally an independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the academic achievement of students of working mothers and students of non-working mothers. There was a statistically significant difference in the academic achievement for students of working mothers (M=4.52, SD=0.31) and students of non-working mothers [M=3.24, SD=0.46; t(238)=1.78, p=.002]. The magnitude of the differences in the means was very small (0.01). These findings suggest that students of working mothers slightly perform well more than students of non-working mothers; therefore, the researcher recommended that, Mothers should actively get involved in their children’s education irrespective of their working class. This can be done by frequently checking of the children’s note books, helping them in assignments and other academic activities that will improve their academic success, Mothers should devote time to interact with their children irrespective of their working class. This can be done by creating a close rapport with the children so as to know the strengths and weaknesses of the children’s academic and social life, in a situation where assisting the children in their home work is not possible, mothers should look for experts (under their care) who will teach the children and enable the children to overcome academic difficulties.