Abstract:
The study investigated the influence of parental care and school readiness on basic school attendance. The study employed the Quantitative approach and the descriptive survey design. A sample of 553 respondents, consisting of 313 students and 240 parents was selected for the study using simple random and stratified proportionate sampling procedure. Three adapted questionnaires scales were used as data collection instruments (perceived parental support scale, primary school readiness scale and school attendance checklist). The perceived parental support had a reliability of .79, Primary School Readiness Scale and School Attendance Checklist had reliabilities of .987 and .89 respectively. The data was analysed using descriptive (means and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Independent Sample t-test, Regression and One-way multivariate analysis of variance [MANOVA]). The study revealed that parental care and school readiness impact school attendance. It was revealed again that the level of parental care was low among students in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (K.E.E.A) Municipality. It was recommended that the government, as a major stakeholder in education, should create avenue for educating and sensitizing parents on their all- important role in caring for their wards in achieving formal education. Policies on education should also factor the role of parents in achieving them.
