Factors influencing pupils’ performance in mathematics at Kenya certificate of primary education in Turkana central sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing pupils‟ performance in Mathematics at Kenya Certificate of primary education (KCPE) in Turkana Central Sub-County, Kenya. The study was informed by the following objectives: to determine the influence of teaching resources in pupils‟ performance in Mathematics at KCPE, to examine the relationship between teachers' qualification and pupils‟ performance in Mathematics at KCPE, determine the influence of parents on pupils‟ performance in Mathematics at KCPE and to establish pupils‟ attitudes in Mathematics at KCPE Turkana Central Sub-County. The study adopted descriptive survey design. To achieve this, the target population was 2469 respondents which incorporated all thirty nine (39) public primary schools and six (6) private primary schools in Turkana Central Sub-County in the study. There were three hundred (300) Mathematics teachers, forty five (45) Head teachers since the total number of schools is 45 and one thousand eight hundred and twenty four (1824) class eight pupils from public primary schools and three hundred (300) pupils from private primary schools. The study adopted a sample size of 266 respondents. Stratified, random and purposive sampling techniques were used by the researcher to sample out the population basing on capacities, group characteristics and progressive records for all the respondents. Questionnaire was administered to the head teachers, teachers and pupils. The questionnaire was issued to the head teachers, teachers and learners. Quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed descriptively using inferential statistics and presented in Tables, graphs, frequency distribution and charts. The findings of the study were as follows: that the teaching resources influenced performance in Mathematics; that there was a relationship between teachers‟ qualification and pupils‟ performance in Mathematics; that parents influenced pupils‟ Mathematics performance and that pupils‟ attitudes influenced performance in Mathematics at KCPE in Turkana Central Sub-County. The study came up with the following recommendations: The study recommended the following; that the schools should have a well-established library so that pupils have enough teaching and learning resources; the government should increase Mathematics teachers in schools; the government and well-wishers to assist the schools by providing them with more learning and teaching resources, parents should be encouraged to assist their children in Mathematics achievements by buying them text books and pupils should have a positive attitude so that they may do well in Mathematics.