Factors influencing performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing performance in
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in public
secondary schools in Kibwezi Division in Kibwezi District, Kenya. Six objectives
and six research questions were formulated to guide the study. Significance,
-limitations; delimitations. research assumptions, definition -or-signIficant terms and
organization of the study were also addressed in chapter one.
The literature review comprised of relevant information about availability of
physical facilities, availability of teachers, curriculum and instruction, teachers'
characteristics, class-room management, supervision and inspection. It also
presented information about theoretical framework and conceptual framework of
the study.
The target population consisted of all public secondary schools in Kibwezi
Division. The study employed ex-post facto research design. The sample size
consisted of a total of 458 respondents in 16 public secondary schools; 16 head
reported that there were inadequate teachers in the schools. Cases of teachers
being transferred from the school without replacements led to inadequate teachers
which affected teaching and learning and ultimately affecting performance.
Teachers gave assignments often but were not able to mark the assignments due to
large enrollment of students and too much load and many classes to teach. Quality
Assurance and Standards Officers (QASOs) rarely (onces after two years) visited
the schools as it was reported by 43.8% headteachers for supervision and
inspection. Headteachers (62.5%) rarely checked schemes of work, progress
records, lesson plans and students notes but they often (93.8% headteachers)
checked the block time table.
Based on the findings, it was recommended that schools should be provided with
learning resources to facilitate learning hence, improve academic performance.
Government should provide teachers to schools so that the teaching load could me
minimized hence enabling teachers to perform effectively. QASOs should be
frequent in supervision of schools to enhance standards which may improve
academic performance. The QASOs should aim at assisting teachers and not to be
fault finders so that their remarks could be implemented. Headteachers should be
on the front line in supervision of their schools. They should check on the
professional documents regularly to enhance the effectiveness of the teachers in
resources and academic performance should be conducted. A study to determine
the relationship between supervision of schools and academic performance should
also be conducted. It was also suggested that, a study on factors influencing
academic performance in private secondary schools was necessary.
Citation
A research project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of education in educational administration and planning University Of NairobiPublisher
Department of Education-administration and planning
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [6020]