The impact of the strengthening of Mathematics and Sciences in secondary education(SMASSE) inset on Physics teachers' performance in Mbeere South District

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the Strengthening of Mathematics and Sciences in Secondary Education (SMASSE) project in enhancing the capabilities of science teachers in teaching of sciences. The study zeroed on physics learning. The study also sought to establish whether SMASSE has had any meaningful impact on the grades attained at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). The location of the study was Mbeere South district which had 39 public schools. The study targeted; thirty nine (39) physics teachers, three (3) trainers and the district SMASSE INSET coordinator. Questionnaires were used to gather information from the teachers and in-service trainers. An interview guide was used to gather information from the officer in charge of SMASSE. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. The results were presented using frequency tables and graphs.

The researcher arrived at the following findings; that SMASSE INSET had positively influenced the performance of physics teachers as well as improving their attitudes towards the subject. It was revealed that SMASSE INSET had enabled schools to have increased improvised equipment. The researcher established that SMASSE INSET had caused regular and frequent interaction among physics teachers. The researcher therefore arrived at the conclusion that the SMASSE concept was a noble one as it requires teachers to adopt approaches which actively involve students and target efficiency in the learning process.

In line with these findings and conclusions of the study, the researcher recommends full institutionalization of the SMASSE INSET. The INSETs could be decentralized to divisional or zonal levels. This could be done by the Ministry of Education together with the agencies concerned with quality assurance and standards. There is need for schools to encourage their science teachers to adopt SMASSE INSET since it's found to enable schools to have increased improvised equipment. The researcher also recommends that there is need for increased SMASSE INSET as it causes regular and frequent interaction among physics teachers. The researcher would like to suggest that similar studies could be done assessing the impact of SMASSE in the learning of all sciences. Studies covering a wide area such as a province or whole country could also be done.