School based factors influnecing students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in public secondary schools in Marsabit District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyze school based factors influencing students' examination performance in public secondary schools in Marsabit district. The objectives of the study included identifying how availability of physical facilities affects students' performance in K.C.S.E. in public secondary schools; determining administrative and managerial factors influencing students' performance in K.C.S.E.; to establish how teachers qualifications influence students' performance in K.C.S.E. in public secondary schools; to examine the effects of co-curriculum activities on students' performance in K.C.S.E. In public secondary schools; assessing the influence of supervision of curriculum implementation on performance in public secondary schools and establishing strategies for K.C.S.E. performance improvement in public secondary schools.

The study adopted descriptive survey design where the target population included all four public secondary schools in Marsabit district, four principals, eight form four class teachers, one district education officer and 469 form four students. The research instruments were administered to the principals, class teachers, form four students and district education officer. The study generated both qualitative and quantitative data. For the quantitative data, analysis was done by use of descriptive statistics.

The study revealed that most of the secondary schools in Marsabit district had inadequate physical facilities, inadequate teaching staff and co-curricular activities were not given adequate attention. In addition, indiscipline among students and sluggish administrative style were major factors influencing performance in public secondary schools in Marsabit district. The government should deploy more teaching staff, train school administrators on managerial skills and revise the secondary school syllabus. Teachers should develop a variety of activities and methods to enable children acquire proper knowledge, skills and attitude to make them self reliant. Parents should provide necessary facilities required and instill discipline in their children.