CHILDREN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

This study investigates the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and academic performance among preprimary school children in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used for this study and the population of this study consisted of parents with children in preprimary schools in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State and the sample size of sixty respondents was used for this study. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis. The research findings revealed diverse socioeconomic backgrounds among parents of preprimary school children in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. While neither socioeconomic status nor parental education alone significantly predicted academic performance, they still had a modest influence on outcomes. The study recommends increasing funding for schools in low-income areas to provide equitable access to educational resources. It suggests implementing educational workshops for parents to enhance their ability to support their children's learning. Advocating for flexible work policies can help parents balance their job responsibilities with active involvement in their children's education. Additionally, targeted academic support programs such as after-school tutoring and enrichment activities should be established to help bridge the academic performance gap among children from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Ultimately, the research seeks to contribute to the development of tailored interventions that support the academic success of all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Divorce for Hornby (2001) is the legal ending of a marriage. Mirror (2003) defined divorce as the complete break up or dissolution of marriage through legal means. Divorce is the only ceremony that marks the official end of marriage, just like a wedding ceremony marks the official beginning of the same marriage. Divorce is caused by so many things. Some of the common causes of marital problems or divorce as noted by Arowolo (2002) are, abuse, power tussle between couples, poor financial management, infidelity, infertility/childlessness, hot temper, influence of mother-in-law, influence of bad companies, influence of alcohol, improper use of language, impotence, poor communication between couples, early marriage, prolonged sickness, prolonged hardship and maltreatment. The phenomenon of divorce is receiving increasing attention as a stress-inducing factor or a life crisis that affects over two million adults and one million children world wide annually (Dohrenwend & Dohrenwend, 2004; Norton & Glick, 2003). Marriage breakdown presently appears to be on the increase. Available literature such as Nwoye (1999), Omeje (2000), Aroh (2001), Asogwa (2003), Mirror (2004) and researcher‟s observation from the Nigerian society indicate that marriage breakdown appears to be on the increase and it is becoming increasingly stressful on the part of the divorcees, their children and the society