| dc.description.abstract | In the country, national examination results indicated that certain schools
consistently perform better than others. The KCPE examination results over a
period of five years (2008-2012) revealed that some public primary schools
performed better than others in Kwale County. The purpose of the study was
to investigate the factors influencing academic performance of the pupils in
KCPE examination in public primary schools in Diani Division, Kwale
County. The study was guided by the following objectives the management of
schools by teachers, teaching and learning, physical facilities and materials,
education levels of the parents, role models in the family and socio-economic
background of the pupils’ family.
Due to the explanatory nature of the study and holistic approach that was
undertaken both the institutional and pupils’ home factors were targeted as
points of investigation. Multiple methods of data collection methods including
the three sets of questionnaires for the head teachers, teachers’ and the pupils
as well as personal visits schedules, which facilitated gathering of the
necessary information were used. The respondents included the twenty seven
(27) head teachers, eighty one (81) teachers and four hundred and fifty-six
(456) pupils. Data analysis was done using the (SPSS) programs. Coding and
tabulation utilized frequency (f), percentage (%) and tables. Key findings
suggested that the five variables, school management, teaching and learning
physical facilities and materials, parent educational levels, role models in the
family and the socio-economic background of the pupil’s influences academic
performance in Diani Division.
The study recommends that proper supervision and management of schools by
competent managers, adequate teaching and learning facilities and materials
should be provided, Parents sensitization on the importance of education,
creations of income generating projects, guidance and counseling as well as
peer tutoring and buddy reading should be encouraged among the pupils to
enable them to sharpen their problem solving and communication skills.
Teachers seminars, workshops and refreshers course need to be streamlined
and continuous to keep abreast of teachers professional development.
Parents need to be more educated and sensitized on proper utilization of their
incomes and be more devoted to their children’s academic performance. Based
on research findings the study suggests that future researches should focus on
the influence of teachers in ensuring academic excellence in schools.
Similarly, further research needs to be done to establish why teaching and
learning facilities and materials are inadequate despite the government
providing funds for the same for almost a decade. There is also need to carry
out more research on allocation and utilization of FPE funds to ensure
effectiveness and efficiency. There is also need to review the policies
regarding feeding programs such that more to be initiated in Diani Division. | |
