| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the effectiveness of the SMASSE project in enhancing the performance of Mathematics and Science subjects in Kitui Central District ,Kitui County. Just like the entire country the SMASSE project was rolled out after successful piloting in 8 districts in the year 1998 with great success. But a few years down the line after it was rolled out countrywide, the performance of the Mathematics and Science subjects that were supposed to be promoted started experiencing downward performance. The researcher set out to investigate what could be the probable cause of this drop. There were four questions put forward to guide this study.
The first one was, what is the relationship between structure and effectiveness of the SMASSE project? Secondly, how is the structure of the SMASSE project affecting the performance of Mathematics and Science subjects? The third question was what is the influence of teacher training on the effectiveness of the SMASSE project. The fourth question was what was the influence of School environment on the effectiveness of the SMASSE project in Kitui Central District? The literature review focused on the structure of the SMASSE project, basically describing how the project is run from the top down to the school level. It also reviewed literature on the SMASSE INSET curriculum its guiding principles and how it should direct teachers in adopting experimentation, improvisation etc so as to create interest amongst the learners. The SMASSE curriculum was also highlighted its relevance to the teaching of Mathematics and science subjects, and its importance in promoting Mathematics and Science subjects in secondary schools.
The significance of in servicing of teachers was also reviewed in relation to the SMASSE project. How in servicing should be done so as to enhance better results as highlighted. The role of the school environment was also reviewed and its relevance in promoting performance in any institution. The data was collected using questionnaires. Two questionnaires were constructed for Principals and the other for science and Mathematics teachers. Sampling was by stratified random sampling method. Data was analyzed using the SPSS data analyzing program. Conclusions were made from the findings and recommendations made as follows; The structure of the SMASSE to involve classroom teachers more even at higher levels each drawn from all parts of the nation. The SMASSE curriculum needs to be reviewed from time to time. The SMASSE INSETs should be regularized and all teachers to attend new teachers also to be involved from the beginning of the project not just all teachers going to attend at will. The school environment should promote mathematics and science subjects. | en_US |
