Socioeconomic Status of Parents and Students’ Educational Aspirations in Senior Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State

This study examines the relationship between parental socioeconomic status and educational aspirations of students in senior secondary schools in Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria. Educational aspirations, encompassing students' desired level of educational attainment and career goals, are important motivational constructs that influence academic effort, persistence, and eventual outcomes. In Bayelsa State, an oil-producing state with significant wealth inequality, parental socioeconomic status varies widely, potentially producing divergent aspiration patterns across student populations. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with questionnaires administered to 400 Senior Secondary School Two students across 18 schools in Yenagoa, Sagbama, and Ekeremor local government areas. Parental socioeconomic status was assessed using a composite index of parental education, occupation, and household income. Educational aspirations were measured using an aspiration inventory capturing desired education level, career ambition specificity, and belief in the value of higher education. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were applied. Results reveal a significant positive association between parental socioeconomic status and students' educational aspirations, with higher SES students significantly more likely to aspire to university education and professional careers. However, a notable proportion of low SES students demonstrated high aspirations, suggesting the moderating role of school environment and teacher encouragement. The study concludes that parental SES significantly influences aspirations but is not deterministic. It recommends that school counsellors actively nurture aspirations among low SES students through mentorship, scholarship information provision, and career role model engagement programmes.

Keywords: socioeconomic status, educational aspirations, senior secondary school, Bayelsa State, career motivation.