Access and Equity: The Relationship Between Parent's Socioeconomic Status and Secondary School Student's Academic Achievement

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of socioeconomic status on the academic achievement of students at a rural secondary school in Fiji. The research employed a mixed-methods design. This study included participation of 21 teachers, 117 students, and 32 parents. Quantitative data were collected through the use of a questionnaire, while qualitative data were gathered through semistructured interviews and observations. The findings of the study revealed that parent education level and occupation have a negligible effect on students' academic performance in school. It has also been established that the home environment and family income have a significant impact on the student's academic achievement. The study suggests that in order to improve students' academic performance, parents and teachers should continuously monitor their children's work, improve their discipline, create a conducive learning environment at home, become more involved in their children's learning process, and implement a variety of teaching strategies.