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.