Factors affecting students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination in public secondary schools in Maseno Division.

Abstract

This study set out to establish factors which affect the academic performance of students in public secondary schools, in Maseno division, Kisumu district. The study covered the period 1996 - 2000, and involved ten public secondary schools (mixed and single sex schools) in the division with a total student population of2537. The division was chosen because the schools therein expressed the most profound characteristics of the factors and trends under investigation, with the average performance in KCSE examination ranging between D+ and B-. It was therefore assumed that the findings of the study would be more representative. Form three students were chosen as the target population due to their long stay in school. The sample of the study comprised 10% of the target population (232 respondents) and was selected through simple random sampling.

Through self-administered questionnaires, observation, and oral interviews, the study elicited views on the factors affecting the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Maseno division. The factors were computed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and their implications quantified by the use of tables showing percentages, frequencies, profile plots, comparative bar- and pie-charts, and x2.

Some of the major findings of the study were that factors affecting the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Maseno division were found both within and outside the school environments. These were learning facilities, teachers, management of homework, parents' participation in school activities, and students' participation in home chores.

Finally, the study recommends that the problem of in-school and out-of-school factors influencing the academic performance of students in public secondary schools be addressed to make the learning environment more conducive to academic activities.

In line with the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations were made for future research: 1. The same study be replicated on a larger sample, either from Kisumu district or any other district. 2. A study be carried out to establish why some public secondary schools perform better in KCSE than others. 3. A similar study be conducted in an urban setting to give a balanced view.

4. Another research be carried out to establish other in-school and out-of-school factors that affect academic performance of students in public secondary schools.