Family socio-economic status, parent-child engagement and girl-child retention in public secondary schools in Rubaga division, KCCA, Uganda

Abstract

Completing education is one of the key factors in the life success and empowerment of the girl child. Full involvement in education and staying in school has been a challenge among secondary school girls in most urban areas of Uganda, especially after COVID-19. This study examined the relationship between Family Socio-economic Status, Parent-Child Engagement and Girl-Child Retention in government-aided secondary Schools in Rubaga Division, KCCA. Using a correlational design, data was collected with the help of a structured questionnaire from a random sample of 315 students, selected from 5 Government aided secondary schools in the division. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The findings revealed that the Family Socio-Economic Status was positively (r =.34) related to Girl Child Retention and predicted about 15 % of Girl Child Retention. A positive and significant relationship (r =.51), existed between Parent-Child Engagement and Girl Child Retention and it contributed 15.2% to retention. It was found that a positive and significant relationship (r =.36), existed between Family Socio-Economic Status and Parent-Child Engagement. Parent-child engagement increased the contribution of Family Socio-Economic Status to Girl Child Retention by 15.2 %. Good Socio-Economic Status of the family, enables parents to have a clear vision for their children, and be actively involved in the lives of their children, thus improving parent-child engagement and reducing intentions to drop out of school. Schools with strong parent relationships, partnerships, and communication, sustain effective strategies for reducing girl-child school dropout. It is recommended that parents and guardians strengthen their relationship with the school and especially the teachers of their children as this may enable them to monitor their performance and character better. Parents should always pay their students’ school fees on time to enable students to concentrate on their studies and limit their intentions to drop out. A comparison study of government-aided and private secondary schools on Family socio-economic status, parent-child engagement and Girl-child retention is needed.