Original Research Article
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Article Number: DRJSSES15369534
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26765/DRJSSES15369534
ISSN: 2449-0806
Vol. 11(3), Pp. 22-31, June 2023
Copyright © 2023
Author retains the copyright of this article
This article is published under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.
Abstract
This study examines the impact of broken marriages on the academic performance of primary school pupils in Goronyo local government area of Sokoto State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 500 pupils aged less than five to over twelve years. A sub-sample of 39.2% were from families affected by parental separation or divorce. Data were collected on the students’ personal and family information, academic performance, emotional and social impact, support system and additional responses from teachers and parents. The results indicated a noticeable effect of family break-up on pupils’ academic performance. About 70.4% of the students acknowledged their family situation as affecting their school performance, with 98.6% noting a worsening effect. Additionally, an overwhelming 97.4% experienced difficulties in school following their parents’ separation or divorce, largely related to issues of focus, emotional disturbances, and absenteeism. In addition, students reported significantly altered relationships with their teachers (44.9% negatively affected), friends (42.3% negatively affected) and siblings (7.8% negatively affected). Teachers reported observing negative changes in academic performance (73.7%) and behaviour (59.6%) among students from broken homes. However, despite the perceived willingness to support these students (100%), the study shows that there are no adequate support systems in place at school (54.4% reported no such systems). The study provides an evidence-based plea for more effective support mechanisms in schools and at home to address the emotional, moral and financial needs of students from broken homes in order to improve their academic performance and overall well-being.
Keywords: Academic performance, broken marriage, emotional impact, primary school pupilsReceived: June 3, 2023 Accepted: June 20, 2023 Published: June 26, 2023