Impact of Parental Expectations on Students’ Academic Achievements. Comparative Analysis of Public and Private Higher Secondary Schools of District Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Parental expectations play an important role in shaping the academic lives of students. When parents encourage their children, express confidence in their abilities, and value education, students often become more motivated and committed to their studies. However, in geographically isolated and economically challenged areas, parental expectations may be influenced by poverty, limited educational awareness, and social responsibilities. The hilly areas of District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan present such a context where students face various educational difficulties, including lack of resources, transportation problems, and limited parental guidance. The present study aims to examine the impact of parental expectations on the academic achievement of secondary school students in the hilly areas of District Swat. The study seeks to explore how positive and negative parental expectations influence students’ motivation, learning behavior, confidence, and overall academic achievements. It also investigates whether differences exist in parental expectations based on socioeconomic background. A quantitative research approach will be used for this study. Data will be collected from secondary school students through a structured questionnaire, while students’ academic achievement will be measured through their examination results. The collected data will be analyzed statistically to identify the relationship between parental expectations and students’ academic achievement. The findings of the study are expected to highlight the significance of constructive parental expectations in improving students’ educational outcomes. The research may also help parents, teachers, school administrators, and policymakers understand the need for parental awareness and support in promoting academic success among students living in remote and mountainous regions. Furthermore, the study may contribute to educational research by providing insight into the unique challenges faced by students in the hilly areas of District Swat.