Factors Influencing The Teacher In Effective Curriculum Implementation In Public Secondary Schools In Mbooni West District, Kenya

Abstract

Teachers in public secondary schools in Kenya can improve the performance of their learners through effective curriculum implementation in their schools. This process is however limited due to the prevailing conditions in the schools which at times are not within the control of the teacher. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the teacher in curriculum implementation in public secondary schools in Mbooni West District. The study aimed at investigating the state of schools in terms of teacher training, both in service and pre service training and how this affected the teachers in curriculum implementation, state of schools in terms of provision of teaching/ learning resources, their availability and their effective use during curriculum implementation and how the state affected the teacher. The study also looked at the effect of student related factors, class, different teaching methods and the relation between curriculum supervision and effective teaching. The target population for the study was 304 teachers and 30 head teachers in public secondary school in Mbooni West District. Descriptive survey design was used and simple sampling techniques used to select respondents. Two structured questionnaires which were developed and administered by the researcher were used to obtain data from the teachers and the head teachers. An observation schedule was used to observe the state of teaching/ learning resources in the schools visited. Inadequate teacher training, both pre service and in service, inadequate teaching/ learning resources, use of inappropriate teaching methods and big classes negatively influenced curriculum implementation. Student related issues like discipline, entry marks and their attitude towards learning adversely affected the teacher in curriculum implementation. Supervision of curriculum implementation by the head teacher also affected teaching. There is need therefore for the government to take the issue of teacher employment with a lot of seriousness since teacher shortages are the reason of having untrained teachers in schools. There is also need to have all stakeholders join hands to provide teaching/ learning facilities to the schools to ensure that the work of the teacher is made easier and that learners are able to attain their full potential.