Parental Involvement and Academic Achievement : A Case of Primary School Pupils in Ruiru-Kiambu Kenya

The study examined how parental involvement influenced pupils' academic achievement in primary schools in Ruiru District of Kiambu Kenya. The sample included 124 respondents, including 48 teachers and 76 pupils drawn from eight schools. Pilot study was done in two schools on a sample of 12 teachers and 17 pupils. Descriptive research design was used for the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed for data analysis. Results were presented in form of both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found out that parental involvement had influence on pupils' academic performance. The study also revealed that gifts constituted the highest form of incentive that majority of parents gave to their children in recognition of good performance. The study concluded that parents are the most important stakeholders in a child's education. Study recommended that parents take active role in their children's education at the primary level. Government, through the Ministry of Education (MoE), should develop policies that encourage the development of school-family-community partnerships as an essential component of academic achievement.