| dc.description.abstract | Schools are not alike but the features of well performing schools tend to be similar for all of them. Schools exert their influence on the students' attachment, commitment, involvement determination among others which are necessary virtues for high academic achievement. This study was carried out in order to find out the influence of school characteristics on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Tigania central division. The study was guided by the following objectives. To: Assess the influence of School leadership on students' academid performance in Secondary schools; Examine the influence of school climate on students' academic performance in secondary schools; Establish the influence of teacher characteristics on students' academic performance in secondary school; Find out the influence of school population on the students' academic performance in secondary schools and assess the influence of school location on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Tigania central division.
A descriptive survey was used and the quantitative and qualitative data was obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistics and is presented in tables, frequencies and percentage form. The researcher concludes that there is a high influence of school characteristics on students' academic performance. Based on the findings the researcher concludes that the academic performance of secondary schools in Tigania Central Division is influenced by the leadership, school climate, teachers' characteristics, school population, and location of the school. The researcher recommends the following: The school administration especially the Principals ought be more committed and improve on their leadership skills such as being innovative in policy making and implementation, motivating, monitoring and influencing both teachers and student to perform to their best. A more healthy relationship in school guided by the principal of unity of purpose has to be established between the principal and teachers, student and teachers, and among students and students. The students' be organized into subject clubs and discussion groups in order to improve on the level of interaction amongst them and help one another.
The young inexperienced teachers require be properly guided and oriented in the profession, be given time to understand the syllabus and master the subjects gradually from lower classes while the old teachers are reminded to be more committed to their duty. Internal and external inspection ought to be encouraged to enhance effective implementation of the school curriculum. Schools ought to increase enrolment and a maintain school population at a level that is economical and productive and that does not cause strain on the resources. The Ministry of education is advised to employ more teachers to reduce the shortage in order to improve the current situation in secondary schools. The Board of governors and the Government should look for alternative ways of reducing strain on the school resources. The researcher also recommends that schools be located far away from towns and those in urban areas be given closer surveillance to monitor what gets in and out of the schools to reduce their damages on the students. The schools should also promote guidance and counseling to keep the students in the right track and help them concentrate on improving their academic achievement. A school like any other business should adopt the principle of Six Sigma which is a smarter way of managing a business or department aimed at improving customer satisfaction, reducing recycle time and reducing defects. This calls for total management commitment to the process, improvement and operation guided by the philosophy of excellence focused on promoting the students' academic achievement. | en_US |
