Title:
INFLUENCE OF PARENTS’ INCOME STATUS ON PUPILS’ ENROLMENT AND RETENTION IN NOMADIC SCHOOLS IN NORTH- CENTRAL GEO- POLITICAL ZONE, NIGERIA

Authors:
M. A. Jibrin., U. V. Oyinvwi and S. Yunusa ,Nigeria

Abstract:
The income status of nomadic parents will to a large extent determine the enrolment and retention of pupils in nomadic schools. A child from a well to do family will always get the necessary support needed in terms of schooling while reverse will be the case for a child from a poor background. This study therefore examined the Influence of Parents’ Income Status on Pupils’ Enrolment and Retention in Nomadic Schools in North- Central, Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives, two research questions and two null hypotheses. The objectives were to determine the influence of parents’ income status on enrolment of pupils in nomadic schools in North- Central Nigeria, examine the influence of parents’ income status on retention of pupils in nomadic schools in North- Central Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design with the population of 42, 845, consisting of 17, 498 nomadic parents and 25, 347 nomadic children. A multi stage sampling technique was used in selecting 120 nomadic parents and 261 nomadic school pupils. Two instruments were used in collecting data for the study, which were the proforma and a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviations were used to answer the research questions while Chi square statistics was used in testing the null hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed significant influence of parents’ income status on enrolment of pupils in nomadic schools in North- Central, Nigeria. The findings also revealed significance influence of parents’ income status on retention of pupils in nomadic schools in North- Central Nigeria. The study concluded that income status of nomadic parents is a key factor that inhibits enrolment and retention of pupils in Nomadic schools. It was however recommended among others that it is imperative for herders to improve their income status by embracing the modern techniques of grazing and also by diversifying their sources of income to enable them send their children/wards to schools