Effects of school culture on pupils' performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (KCPE) in public schools in Teso district, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of school culture on KCPE performance in Teso South District of Western province in Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to determine the extent to which the primary school vision, and mission statement, school motto, ceremonies and rituals, affect pupils' performance in KCPE; the role of school programmed activities in directing members of the school their daily activities; the extent to which the location of the school influenced the school culture in place and the interventions that can be put in place to strengthen the positive school cultures in place.

The study was guided by the Axiomatic theory which was propounded by Jerald Rage (1965) in Silver (1983). The theory explained that the organizational structures is a means that enables the organization achieve the type of outcomes expected by the organization hence the end. The study used a descriptive design to acquire a lot of information through description. The target population was 600 teachers in the 50 schools including the 50 head teachers and pupils that have been in the schools for over five years. Purposive sampling was used to pick 30 schools to be used in the study. Random sampling was then used to pick on the 160 teachers and the 210 pupils who have been in the school for over five years.

The instruments used to collect data were an interview schedule for the 30 head teachers, structured questionnaires for 160 teachers and 210 pupils and an Most of the teachers came up with interventions such as sensitizing parents on their role in their children's education, head teachers to undergo management courses which will equip them with skills to create conducive cultures that will make both pupils and teachers to improve their performances, and the community to be sensitized on the importance of education for their children.

The study suggested that other studies such as the effects of the community culture on the education of pupils in primary schools, effects of conflict between primary school culture and surrounding community's culture on academic performance, effects of parents' attitude towards schooling on the primary school pupils' performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) be carried out.