Factors influencing student’s performance in science subjects at secondary school level in Kiharu Division Murang’a District. Kenya.
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Date
2008-08
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Education
Abstract
Science education has a critical role in promoting scientific and technological development. However, students’ performance in these subjects remains quite dismal in many schools. Factors leading to this dismal performance have not been adequately investigated and well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing students’ performance in science subjects at Secondary School level in selected secondary schools in Kiharu Division, Murang’a District Kenya. The study explored four specific factors influencing performance in sciences namely, ratio of teachers to students, population of a class, social economic status of family and availability of learning/teaching materials. The study sampled schools using purposive sampling status and type of school. From the sampled schools, two thirds of the candidates were selected and all science teachers for the study, the principals of all the sampled schools where also included in the study. The Q.A.O, Murang’a district was similarly involved in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires for students, science teachers and principals. The researcher unreviewed the Q.A.O, Murang’a District, Descriptive statistics was the main technique used to analyze data. The major findings were that; shortage of teachers, large classes, poverty and lack of adequate learning/teaching materials contributed to poor performance in sciences. Based on these findings, it was recommended that, the government of Kenya recruits enough science teachers; principals follow Ministry of Education guidelines when admitting students, government to initiate poverty eradication programmes and the schools’ BOG. solicit for funds to equip schools with all necessary learning/teaching materials,
Description
A research report submitted to the Institute of Open and distance learning in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree, Bachelor of’ Education in arts of Kampala International University
Keywords
Student’s Performance, Science Subjects, Secondary School Level