POOR PEFORMANCE IN KENYA CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (KCSE). A CASE STUDY IN WAJIR DISTRICT.

Abstract

Wajir district is the second largest district in the Republic of Kenya after Turkana district, and one of the four districts in North Eastern Province. The district covers an area of about 56,698 square kilometers. The district borders Ethiopia to the north, Mandera district to the north-east, Somalia to the east, Garissa district to the south-east, Isiolo district to the south and Marsabit district to the west. Demographic Data According to the 1999 population census, Wajir district had a total Population of 406,000 persons. Economic Data Wajir district is dry most of the year therefore, rainfall is erratic and inadequate. The main economic activity in the district is livestock rearing. Therefore, the communities living in the district are nomadic pastoralists who are 80% illiterate and unskilled. However, their contribution is mitigated by rising incidents of famines and drought, hence the district is one of the (AS AL) arid and semi-arid areas of the province (NEP), the level of poverty and economic under-development is higher than in other parts of the country with kinder weather patterns. This is because the mainstay of the country is agriculture and therefore weather patterns play an important role in the economy. Land is communally owned. During the dry periods, people move from place to place in search of water and pasture for the animals. Small scale farming takes place in the northern part of the district. Farmers in this area grow maize, beans, simsim, sorghum and vegetables. The district is rich in limestone for construction of buildings. The potential for production of cement is high.