Factors influencing students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Moyale District, Marsabit County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing students' Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) performance in public secondary schools in Moyale district. Four research objectives were formulated to guide the study. The objectives sought to: examine how headteachers'instructional supervision practices affected students' KCSE performance in Moyale district; assess how teachers working environment influence students' KCSE performance in Moyale district; establish how security affects students' KCSE performance in Moyale district and lastly to determine how students' household poverty affected KCSE performance in Moyale district The study employed descriptive survey. The target population comprised of 5 headteachers and 20 teachers. The sample comprised of 5 headteachers and 20 teachers. Census was used to draw the sample for the study. Data was' collected by use of questionnaires and was analysed by use of frequencies and percentages. Findings revealed that head teachers' instructional supervision practices such as checking professional records, supervising teachers during teaching influenced students' KCSE performance; teachers' working environment influenced students' KCSE performance in Moyale district; security affected students' KCSE performance. Lastly it was revealed that students' household poverty influenced KCSE performance. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that headteachers' instructional supervision practices influences students' KCSE performance. Headteachers lack of appraising teachers lead to teachers low motivation and hence resulting to poor students' performance. Lack of supervision of teachers during teaching also led to poor performance. The study also concluded that teachers' working environment influenced students' KCSE performance in Moyale district. Teaches were not provided with housing in the schools. The majority of the teachers rated working environment in the school as very challenging. Insecurity which disrupted learning and hence affecting students' performance. The study also concluded that security affected students' KCSE performance. Schools closed frequently due to insecurity for durations ranging from two weeks to months. Students took part in the conflict; especially boys were pulled out of school to protect their community in fighting the enemy. 1t was also concluded that students' household poverty influenced KCSE performance. Students' were often absent from school due to lack of fees and other school needs which resulted to missing classes hence affecting their academic performance. The study recommended that headteachers should regularly supervise teachers, appraise them so as the are able to deliver and improve students' academic performance. The study also recommended that the school administration should provide conducive lea! ) ;lg environment for teachers in hardship areas so that teachers are able to teach and hence improve academic performance. The government should initiate trainings to the community on how to live harmoniously so as to reduce cases of conflict which result to school disruptions. Lastly the government should provide learning needs for students in hardship areas such as establishing money generating activities so as to support the communities financially. The researcher suggested that a study on how headteachers and teachers' characteristics affect students performance should be conducted and finally a study on how school community relations affect students' academic performance should be conducted.