The Social- Economic Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Parents’ Income and Pupils Learning in Iganga District, Uganda

Basome Samson – Faith Discipleship Ministries International (FAMI), Uganda
Petronila Mwangi – University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya
Email: basomesamson@gmail.com

Abstract: Globally, COVID-19 outbreak had a significant impact on the social-economic implications of parents’ income and students’ learning. Many school employees lost jobs and students dropped out of school in Uganda as a result of the varied social and economic effects of COVID19. A descriptive design was used to determine the effects of Social- Economic implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Parents’ income and Pupils learning in Iganga. In-depth interviews were conducted with some selected respondents in 9 sampled primary schools in Iganga District. With the help of teachers, a random sample of 18 pupils was taken from the sampled schools and interviewed. Subsequently with the assistance of local leaders, parents were interviewed in their communities. Content analysis was used to obtain related data to the effects of social economic implications of covid19 pandemic on parent’s income and pupil’s learning. Government and civil society organization reports were among the materials examined. The findings revealed that there was changing economic situation as a result of COVID19 that affected pupils’ access to different learning opportunities such as inadequate resources and knowledge about the use of digital technologies. Some of the socioeconomic challenges that affected pupils’ learning and parents’ income were inadequate time given to pupils learning and inadequate professional trained teachers to handle online teaching and learning. It is recommended that the government should provide more funding as well as clear, detailed, and consistent guidance to help head teachers and teachers to manage the gaps created by COVID19 on pupils’ learning in Primary schools.