| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated effects of economic activities on pupils’ academic
performance of pupils at Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in Lari division. The
study sought to achieve four objectives. These hoped to:
1. establish the effects of contextual factors such as economic factors, sociocultural
factors, parental level of education, attitude and support on academic
performance of pupils at K.C.P.E. in Lari division
2. establish the effects of child labour such as herding, milking, working on the
farm and transportation of farm produce, on academic performance of pupils
at KCPE in Lari division
3. determine the influence of learner –characteristics such as age, gender, and
family background on academic performance of pupils at KCPE in Lari
Division
4. establish the effects of school related factors such as authoritarian teachers and
hidden school charges, on academic performance of pupils at KCPE in Lari
division.
The study adopted a survey design. The main instrument for collecting data was
questionnaire. There were questionnaires for headteachers and standard eight pupils
that had been targeted by the study. A pilot study was done prior to the actual study to
test on the validity and reliability of the research instruments. Data was analyzed and
tabulated using descriptive statistics generated from Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (S.P.S.S). The study findings revealed that academic performance of pupils
n Lari division was adversely affected by contextual factors such as inadequate
support by parents, low income, attitude of parents towards schooling, level of
education of parents, initiation practices for boys before completing primary
education and religious affiliation of parents. Pupils in Lari also participated in child
labour, as well as working in their parents’ farms and domestic related chores. These
activities are deemed to contribute to poor academic performance. Learner
characteristics such as truancy, absenteeism and indiscipline also cause poor academic
performance among pupils. Besides, school-related factors such as insufficient
learning resources, irregular disbursement of FPE funds, the impact of leadership
offered by headteachers, school levies for study tours, examination charges and
support staff and tuition fees were found to contribute towards poor academic
performance.
On the basis of the findings, the study recommended review of the existing policies
and laws on child labor with a view of eliminating child labor. In addition more
comprehensive and regular country-wide survey on various factors that affect
academic performance of children in other districts should be carried out. | en |
