Factors influencing performance of girls in KCSE in secondary schools: a case of Garissa County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing performance of girls in KCSE national examinations in Garissa County. All over the world females encounter problems as consumers and providers of education. By comparison with their male counterparts they under participate in formal education, tend to under achieve in post primary education (especially in science, mathematics and technology related subjects, and are under-represented in senior and promoted posts in education service, whose decision making bodies tend to suffer from the manas-the norm syndrome.

A huge field of research known as psychology of sex differences has developed and vast numbers of studies have been conducted seeking to demonstrate how sex is linked to mental differences. The main objective was to determine the factors influencing performance of girls in KCSE in secondary school and also to determine appropriate measures to be taken to ensure girl's performance in KCSE examinations is improved. The scope of the study was students in six secondary schools and only school based factors were studied. The variables studied included presence of role models from female teachers, availability of teaching materials, teacher's competence, students' perception, availability of sanitary towels among others.

The study was descriptive in design. The target population was 1102 girls in the six secondary schools. A stratified sample of 243 students was drawn using stratified random sampling from the target population to represent all the students. The findings included lack of enough teaching/learning materials, lack of external examinations and inadequate administration of internal examinations, dominance of youthful teachers who are not experienced and most of them form four leavers and qualified teachers on contact.

The recommendations included employment of qualified teachers, provision of enough teaching/learning materials and supply of sanitary towels. Frequent administration of examinations in schools is very important to gauge the progress in the performance of students.