Status of economics at the secondary school Level; the case of Nyamira

Abstract

. This study was intended to investigate the status of economics as a subject at secondary school level in Nyamira District. It examines the existing curriculum reforms and also tends to identify some of the significant problems that may explain the phasing out of economics as a subject from the secondary school syllabus. Casual observation suggests that very few schools offer subject economics III their curriculum. Two reasons have been advanced for this state of affairs namely, the current changes in curriculum reforms, which witnessed the reduction or a number of subjects and apathy on the part of the students to study Economics. The data for this study was derived from a sample of secondary schools in Nyarnira District. A total of 36 schools were identified as units of study. These schools also provided the other relevant study popular ion as teachers and students. The data was collected through thc use of questionnaires and interview schedules. The analysis .~ involved till' tabulation or the raw data into percentages and means. Among other findings from the analysis revealed that curriculum reforms at the secondary school level was found to have significant effects on the ability for schools to oriel' the subject economics. Also clustering of . subjects was found to encourage students to opt to study other subjects instead of economics. Equally, curriculum offered in various schools tend to discourage the enrollment of optional subjects like economics. Subsequently, many schools in Nyamira District du not offer economics as an examinable subject.