Home based factors influencing Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination performance in public primary schools in Yatta Division, Kenya

Abstract

Basic education is a fundamental strategy for human growth and development. It is through education that one is able to develop economically, socially and spiritually. The study aimed at examining home based factors influencing KCPE examination performance in public primary schools in Yatta Division. There was need for the study due to allegations of poor academic performance that seems to have been caused by home based factors.

To enhance the study, research objectives were formulated on the social economic factors influencing pupil's KCPE performance, the students' parents educational level that influence pupils' performance, and whether parental encouragement also influence pupils KCPE performance. Formulated also, were objectives on the extent to which family size influence pupils' KCPE performance, and whether learning facilities at home also influence pupils' KCPE performance.

The study adopted descriptive survey design and targeted 63 public primary schools in Lower- Yatta District with an approximate of 441 teachers and 1512 standards eight pupils. From this target population, a sample size of 19 headteachers, 113 teachers and 454 students was selected. Data were gathered using teachers' and pupils' questionnaires, and document analysis guide to find out whether school documents contain crucial information required for good performance. There was also instrument validity and reliability. Data were however, analyzed through descriptive statistics and presented inform of tables and figures.

The findings of the study showed that majority of the parents (65.0%) in Yatta division are farmers. However, a good percent (75.5%) always encouraged their children to read and do homework while at home for good performance. Teachers and pupils were far the opinion that schools be adequately equipped-with teaching and learning facilities and parents to create conducive learning environment at home and reinforce pupils who perform well so as to achieve good results.

The study recommended that teachers and head-teachers to take lead in lifting the performance of the schools, parents be involved in school policies and other possible alternative actions that the school can take in the process of achieving set goals and objectives, and that school feeding programmes to be re-visited to the problems at home. Last, a study should be conducted on the impact of internal and external school environments to realize a healthy school-community relationship.