Factors influencing students’ Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education performance in geography in Changamwe District, Mombasa County, Kenya
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence students’ Kenya
Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Geography performance in Changamwe
district, Mombasa county Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine ways
in which teaching methodology influence students’ performance, determine ways in
which teachers’ experience influence students’ performance in geography, establish
ways in which teaching/ learning resources influence students’ performance, establish
the influence of school principals and Head of Departments (HODs) on students’
KCSE geography performance and to establish how students’ attitude towards
geography influences performance. The study adopted a descriptive survey research
design. The design was appropriate for the study because the researcher was studying
circumstances which had already occurred and as they exist in schools. Purposive
sampling was used to select teachers, principals and learners. The researcher
purposively selected 15 schools, 15 principals and 15 HODs, and 30 form 3 – 4
geography teachers. The researcher randomly selected 10 girls and 10 boys all form
four geography students from the 15 sampled schools giving a total of 300 students.
The study analysis used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study
established that there were more male teachers than female teachers. Many teachers
(27%) employ lecture method compared to other methods when teaching geography.
More experienced teachers influence students’ performance positively. The study
concludes that education inputs of the student, the teacher, teaching methods, learning
resources, the school facilities and the school environment are factors that influence
performance. The study recommended that more female teachers to be employed
because they act as role model to female students. The study also recommends that
the government to provide with adequate which learning resources which will be
readily available for both students and the teachers for study, understanding and
research reference for geography. The teaching methodology should be well diverse
to cater for the needs of the students. Reading ahead of the teacher improves on the
students’ attitude towards the subject and it is a way of utilizing the learning resources
such as books provided by the school hence influencing students’ KCSE geography
performance. The study recommends that teaching and learning resources influences
performance. Schools should provide with the best resources and teaching
methodologies in influencing the students’ and teachers’ attitude towards the subject
hence, a general improvement in performance of geography.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Description
Thesis of Master of Education in Curriculum Studies
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]