Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Uganda

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between parental involvement and children’s acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills in Uganda. The objectives of the study were threefold; to examine the level of competence in children’s literacy and numeracy skills; to establish the rela...

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Main Authors: Rosemary Nakijoba, Judith Biirah, Teopista Akullo, Christopher B. Mugimu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Futurity Research Publishing 2024-01-01
Series:Futurity Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://futurity-education.com/index.php/fed/article/view/245
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author Rosemary Nakijoba
Judith Biirah
Teopista Akullo
Christopher B. Mugimu
author_facet Rosemary Nakijoba
Judith Biirah
Teopista Akullo
Christopher B. Mugimu
author_sort Rosemary Nakijoba
collection DOAJ
description The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between parental involvement and children’s acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills in Uganda. The objectives of the study were threefold; to examine the level of competence in children’s literacy and numeracy skills; to establish the relationship between parental involvement and children’s competences in literacy and numeracy skills as well as to predict parental factors in determining children’s competences in literacy and numeracy skills in Uganda. Secondary data from Uwezo 2021dataset were analysed using descriptive statistics, the correlational coefficient and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the levels of competence in literacy and numeracy skills among children, the association between competence levels in literacy and numeracy and parental involvement was analysed; as well as parental factors as predictors in children’s acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills were investigated. The study findings revealed that children in Uganda were at different competence levels in literacy and numeracy. Parental involvement in children’s education also significantly enhanced the acquisition of basic literacy and numeracy skills. However, there was a low positive correlation between parents’ participation in reading with their children and acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills. Noteworthy, findings revealed that numeracy skills of 4-16-year-olds increased with TV and mobile telephone access in households. In conclusion, parental factors play a significant role in predicting the development of literacy and numeracy abilities among children in Uganda. The odds ratio for increased literacy skills was lower in male-headed households but higher in households with parents who completed Ordinary School Certificate, Advanced School Certificate, and tertiary diploma/degree. Thus, the Ministry of Education and Sports should provide free adult education to parents in order to encourage them to be involved in their children’s education. The findings of this study inform education policy review to enhance children’s acquisition of basic skills in literacy and numeracy.
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spelling doaj.art-4d90b43b7cdf4594b01c486db0ec80502024-04-19T11:33:03ZengFuturity Research PublishingFuturity Education2956-34022024-01-0141537010.57125/FED.2024.03.25.03Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in UgandaRosemary Nakijoba0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6300-6659Judith Biirah1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5188-2061Teopista Akullo2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7473-1033Christopher B. Mugimu3https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6320-8311Muteesa I Royal University, UgandaKyambogo University, School of Education, UgandaMuteesa I Royal University, UgandaEducation Makerere University, UgandaThe aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between parental involvement and children’s acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills in Uganda. The objectives of the study were threefold; to examine the level of competence in children’s literacy and numeracy skills; to establish the relationship between parental involvement and children’s competences in literacy and numeracy skills as well as to predict parental factors in determining children’s competences in literacy and numeracy skills in Uganda. Secondary data from Uwezo 2021dataset were analysed using descriptive statistics, the correlational coefficient and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the levels of competence in literacy and numeracy skills among children, the association between competence levels in literacy and numeracy and parental involvement was analysed; as well as parental factors as predictors in children’s acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills were investigated. The study findings revealed that children in Uganda were at different competence levels in literacy and numeracy. Parental involvement in children’s education also significantly enhanced the acquisition of basic literacy and numeracy skills. However, there was a low positive correlation between parents’ participation in reading with their children and acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills. Noteworthy, findings revealed that numeracy skills of 4-16-year-olds increased with TV and mobile telephone access in households. In conclusion, parental factors play a significant role in predicting the development of literacy and numeracy abilities among children in Uganda. The odds ratio for increased literacy skills was lower in male-headed households but higher in households with parents who completed Ordinary School Certificate, Advanced School Certificate, and tertiary diploma/degree. Thus, the Ministry of Education and Sports should provide free adult education to parents in order to encourage them to be involved in their children’s education. The findings of this study inform education policy review to enhance children’s acquisition of basic skills in literacy and numeracy.https://futurity-education.com/index.php/fed/article/view/245parental involvementchildrenliteracynumeracyskillsuganda
spellingShingle Rosemary Nakijoba
Judith Biirah
Teopista Akullo
Christopher B. Mugimu
Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Uganda
Futurity Education
parental involvement
children
literacy
numeracy
skills
uganda
title Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Uganda
title_full Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Uganda
title_fullStr Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Uganda
title_short Parental Involvement and Children Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Uganda
title_sort parental involvement and children acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills in uganda
topic parental involvement
children
literacy
numeracy
skills
uganda
url https://futurity-education.com/index.php/fed/article/view/245
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