Factors affecting performance in Kenya certificate of primary education in Kabarnet Division of Baringo District
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to find out the factors that affected performance in KCPE examinations in public primary schools in Kabarnet Division, Baringo District. It sought to identify the effects of availability or non-availability of facilities on performance in KCPE examinations and to establish how school community relations and support affects performance. It also sought to establish how effective inspection and supervision of schools is and the administrative and managerial factors that affect KCPE performance. The literature review focused on the factors that affect students' performance thus provided guidelines and laid background of the study.
This study was carried out in selected public primary schools in Kabarnet Division, Baringo District. It consisted of 20 headteachers, 20 teachers and 60 standard eight pupils. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The data was then computed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) analysed and presented in frequency and percentages.
Some of the major findings of the study were the factors affecting pupils' academic performance in the Division. Regarding the payment of fees (83.3%) of the pupils indicated that their levies were not paid on time.
• On availability of learning resources, the study found that inadequacy of facilities have been a major cause of poor performance in the division.
• Their teachers were not adequately inspected although the inspectors were acknowledged as having a positive effect on the schools overall performance.
• That Administrators particularly the headteachers (90%) always involved teachers in decision making on matters concerning their schools.
• A majority of teachers (55%) rarely used teaching aids due to the fact to the
fact that most of them were overworked such that they did not have enough
time to prepare teaching aids.
• Many parents (86.6%) always encouraged their children when it came to academic work, which boosted the pupils' morale to work hard.
Some of the recommendations drawn from the study included the following :-
• That the Teachers' Service Commission should employ and post more teachers to such divisions so as to reduce the overworking of teachers and enhance efficiency.
• The Government to motivate teachers through sending them to seminars and
workshops to enable them sharpen their skills as well as encouraging their efforts through fair remuneration.
• That the school community relations be strengthened so as to make the provision of physical facilities such as textbooks, libraries & laboratories available through the harambee spirit.
Some of the recommendations for further studies in line with the findings and
'conclusions of the study include the following: -
• A similar study be done in an urban setting to give a balanced view of the factors which influence pupil's academic performance in public primary schools.
• A study be done on a larger sample from any other district to establish whether the factors influencing performance are exactly the same or not.
• A research be done as to why some of the primary schools constantly do better than others during KCPE examinations.
Citation
Masters Thesis, University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Education
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]