Determinants of pupils' performance in English; a case study of Kairungu primary school (in Kirinyaga district (Kenya))

Abstract

The performance of English in both Primary and Secondary school is very important. English being one of the core subjects in Kenya's school curriculum is used as a medium of instruction in all other subjects apart from Kiswahili. It is also Kenya's official language. Issues concerning the performance of English in national examinations pose some strongest challenges to the government, teachers and parents. This concern in performance reveals a dangerous trend that cuts across gender. Both boys and girls in Kairungu Primary School have been noted to have been performing poorly in English over the years. It is in this spirit that the investigator tries to find out why this trend is emerging. To analyze the causes the investigator will try to determine the kind of relationship that exists between teachers and learners, learners and resource materials, attitude towards English, external influences as pertaining to gender and the level of performance ranging six years during and before the introduction of Free Primary Education in Kenya will be selected. The case study will be the main means of obtaining the information while observation will be made on the extent of resources, use and availability. Data will be presented in tabular and graphical form.