Parents and Students Interest as Determinants of Students’ Academic Performance in Agricultural Science in selected Secondary Schools in Oyo Metropolis, Oyo State

Abstract

This study was designed to examine parents and students' interest as determinants of students' academic performance in agricultural science in selected secondary schools in Oyo metropolis, Oyo State. It seeks to find out whether different parental interest, influence of students' interest in agricultural science as a subject, and parents' socioeconomic status has any influence on the academic performances of students in Agricultural Science and practical activities. The sample for the study consists of eighty secondary school students ranging from junior classes to senior classes in eight randomly selected secondary schools from the four Local Government Areas in Oyo metropolis, Oyo State. Data collected were hitherto analysed through the use of frequency percentage and chi square (X 2) test method. The research hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance and appropriate degrees of freedom. The result of the study showed that parents' interest in agricultural related activities will significantly influence students academic performance in Agricultural science, students' interest will significantly influence students academic performance in Agricultural Science and that parents' socioeconomic status does not significantly influence their interest in Agricultural science and agricultural practical activities. INTRODUCTION Students' academic performances are affected by a number of pedagogical and socio-psychological factors or intervening variables, Adeyemo (2005). Such variables include locus of control, self-efficacy, students' interest in schooling, self-concepts, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-regulation, study habits, parental involvement, and peer influence among others. Any of these factors will however have either a positive or negative influence on students' academic performance thereby leading to either poor or a good academic performance depending on how influential the factor is.