School Factors Influencing Implementation of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education Principles in Teaching of Science in Public Primary Schools in Nyandarua West Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to investigate school factors influencing implementation of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education principles in teaching of science in public primary schools in Nyandarua West Sub County. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent to which learner centred teaching methodologies, PDSI approach, improvisation using local learning resources and teachers‟ lesson planning influence implementation of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education principles in teaching of science in public primary schools in Nyandarua West Sub County. It was based on the constructivist theory. The study utilised descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study was forty three public primary schools, sixty science teachers and two thousand five hundred and eighty class eight pupils. Simple random sampling and stratified sampling were used to select teachers and pupils from the selected primary schools. Data was collected using an interview guide for head teachers‟, teachers‟, and pupils‟ questionnaire. Collected data was analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study finding revealed that teachers did not avail adequate teaching and learning resources for teachers to use during science lessons for effective implementation of Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education principles in teaching of science. Learning process is effectively implemented by experienced teachers who prior training and In-service training from a basis of the implementation of SMASE. Based on the study findings, the researcher recommended that school administrators and other facilitators should organise seminars and workshops to build up teachers‟ confidence among themselves. There is need for more field trips to scientific sites to enable learners get first-hand information. This should be done through group discussions after the trips and individual experiment that would enable pupils to experiment their learning that has been done in class. Teachers should implement all the SMASE principles of teaching science. Therefore, the researcher suggests a study to be carried out to cover an in-depth to access the influence of learner centred strategies on science teaching in the entire Nyandarua County. Further research should be done to identify institutional factors that hinder implementation of learner centred strategies.