Alleviation of examination Irregularities in Kisii central public Secondary schools using path analysis Planning model.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate how path analysis planning model can be used to alleviate examination irregularities in KCSE examination in Kisii Central District public secondary schools. This was necessitated by the recurrence of examination irregularities in KCSE exams whenever results were released but the irregularities were more widespread when the 2004 KCSE results were released. Planning is the process through which an organization can consciously influence, direct and control the direct variables put into the organization in order to achieve the predetermined set objectives. Path analysis model of planning is one that strives to give a picture of how correlated the variables are in a causal system and thus infers the causal network underlying this set of relationships. This research study consists of five chapters and they are: introduction, literature review, research methodology, data analysis and interpretation, summary, conclusion and recommendations. Chapter one is the introduction that consists of the following sections, background of the problem, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, objectives of the study and research questions. The other sections are: significance of the study, limitations and delimitation of the study, basic assumptions of the study, definition of significant terms and organization of the study. The background of the problem provides information about the role of examinations and how its administration causes irregularities that should be eliminated using the path analysis model of planning. In chapter two is the literature review, which explains the following issues: path analysis model of evaluation, role of examinations in an education system, KNEC WAEC, performance in national examinations, head teachers' contribution to performance in exams, and irregularities in KCSE examinations. The literature review shows that examination irregularities are a cancer in any education system that is examination oriented. In Nigeria for example, all the organs involved in the management of examinations abet exam irregularities and this has necessitated the review of the role of examination in that country. In Kenya, the situation is not different, as the cases of examination irregularities are reported every time the main research instrument used was questionnaires that were corroborated with direct observation by the researcher. There were five sets of questionnaires and these sets include questionnaire to the school principals, Parents, students, HODs/Subject heads and questionnaire to deans of studies or examination coordinators. The data analysis forms chapter four, which has been organized under the various research questions that address different parameters that have been considered. In this chapter, the data collected has been organized through use of tables and analyzed by using pie charts, bar graphs and frequency tables. Both descriptive and inferential statistics are used to analyze the data to describe the sample in relation to the population. The use of both the descriptive and inferential statistics have enabled the researcher to determine the direction and magnitude of the relationships between the various variables that have been considered. These techniques of analyzing data are important because the path analysis model of evaluation requires the determination of magnitude of existing relationships between the variables under consideration. Among the variables that have been considered are promptness in fees payment, provision of adequate learning resources, preparedhess of the teachers, completion of the syllabus, loss of time for learning, psychological preparation of the candidates, the responsiveness ofKNEe and so on. The stakeholders that have been identified in chapter one, singly or simultaneously influence these variables. This chapter is organized under the various research questions that address the different parameters that have been considered. The total effect of the various parameters influences the outcomes of examination results depending on the roles played by the different stakeholders. The variables that have been stated have been considered under the different researc questions. Each research question has been investigated in relation to the input that the various stakeholders contribute towards realizing examination results with or without irregularities. The variables under consideration contribute either positively or negatively towards proper administration of exams depending on the way they are conducted. Finally, chapter five deals with the following issues: summary of the study, the conclusion, the recommendations and suggestions for further study. The summary has integrated the various aspects of the study in relation to the research objectives thus leading to the conclusion of the study. In the conclusion, the sum effect of the variables ~at were investigated has been generated to determine how irregularities in exams can be eliminated through the contribution of the stakeholders and hence showing the application of path analysis planning model. A total of seventeen recommendations have been put forward detailing the suggestions the different stakeholders should address to eliminate examination irregularities. Finally, three suggestions for further study have been provided for future works in relation to the purpose of the study.