Television influence on the academic performance of high school students in Nairobi

Abstract

Television is considered to be a must have in each household. Notwithstanding the benefits accruing from television, its effect on education has not been fully analysed. This is especially in language. The central problem of this study is that cumulative watching of television affects the academic performance especially in languages (Kiswahili and English) used by high schools especially day schools in Nairobi. Factors leading to the effect of TV on language have not been fully investigated and well understood hence hindering development of the above mentioned languages especially in day schools. To this end the purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which television influences the academic performance in languages. As a teacher of English in a day school in Nairobi, I have seen the drop in academic performance in languages. The study sampled schools using purposive sampling techniques using the criteria of boarding status and type of school (boys, girls or mixed). 50 students and 10 teachers from the two schools were sampled.

Data was collected using a questionnaire for students and interview schedules. Focus groups and interviews were used to capture the opinion of the parents. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. The major finding was that students were watching television but not getting to access programmes that educative in terms of fluent language use. Monitoring of what they watched on television by teachers and parents was lacking. Based on the findings, it is recommended that more educational programmes be introduced so as to improve on language. Parents need to monitor what their children watch at home and teachers should make sure that what is viewed helps students in their creativity and academic performance. With a ban put on tuition parents need to make sure that they strike a balance between time spent on TV,playtime and other activities.