Relationship between Some Selected Variables of Socio-Economic Status and Educational Aspiration in Junior Secondary Students in Type II School in the Batticaloa Zone, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study was carried out to find the relationship between some selected variables of socio-economic status and educational aspiration in junior secondary students. A sample survey design was adopted for this study. The study was directed at the population of junior secondary students in the Batticaloa zone of Eastern Province in Sri Lanka. The sample was 300 students who were studied in grades6 to 9 and offering science and mathematics subjects. The selected 10type II schools from this research area. The schools were stratified into urban and semi-urban schools. The 30 students were systematic random sampling selected with male and female among the grade junior secondary grades and to make a total of 300 respondents from 10 schools that constituted the sample for this study. The schools consist of 4 semi- urban and 6 urban schools was selected for this study.

The students' questionnaire, consists of section A which is made up of 18 questions, measuring the attitude of the students while the section B contain 12 questions for measuring the selected three variables of socio-economic status (FO, PE, FI) (home influences) items. They were Likert scale item type questions, in which respondents choose from 5-point scores such as strongly, agree to strongly disagree. Thirdly, information concerning the individual performance of students was obtained from their continuous assessment records of the school subjects concerned (Mathematics and Science). The null hypotheses were postulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance to the impact of parental involvement on student's attitude and their performance in science and mathematics subject.  Data collected on the study were analysed using inferential statistics which includes; student analysis of t test and Pearson product Moment correlation coefficient.

The Inter-Correlation test done to check the relationship between Fathers' Occupation and the sub-variables of EA.  From this, there is a significant relationship between FO and EA (0.001).  The correlation between the above two variables is 0.194, meanwhile the value of non-determination factors (residual) is 96.2% (R² = 0.038). Inter-Correlation test done to check the relationship between Parental Education and the sub-variables of EA.  From this, there is a significant relationship between PE and EA (0.001).  The correlation between the above two variables is 0.252, meanwhile the value of non-determination factors (residual) is 93.7% (R² = 0.063).  Inter-Correlation test done to check the relationship between Family Income and the sub-variables of EA.  From this, there is a significant relationship between FI and EA (0.001).  The correlation between the above two variables is 0.215, meanwhile the value of non-determination factors (residual) is 95.4% (R² = 0.046).  The phenomena observed were discussed in the light of prevailing conditions in most of the developing countries. Conclusively, home influence (FO, PE, and FI) can be a tool to enhance school learning.