Impact of strengthening mathematics and science in secondary education (SMASSE) on student performance and attitude towards physics in Marakwet west sub-county.

Abstract

Performance in Physics has been steadily deteriorating over the last few years. This prompted the researcher to investigate the impact of SMASSE INSET on students’ performance in Physics, teaching approaches and methodologies and teachers and students’attitude towards Physics. The objectives of the study were to investigate whether SMASSE INSET has changed the teacher’s and students’ attitudes, improved the performance and the teaching approaches and methodology in Physics. This was a field study that was conducted in Marakwet west sub-county. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Questionnaires are used as the research instruments.The respondents of the study were selected from the Form four and form three students of the year 2014. A sample of 371 students, 20 mathematics Heads of Department and 20 Mathematics teachers were selected using both stratified and simple random sampling. Analysis of data is done using descriptive statistics; tables, pie charts and bar graphs which show the variety of responses as well as number of respondents making them. The study established that the students‟ attitude towards Physics has greatly improved as a result of SMASSE INSET. The study also found out that teacher’s teaching approaches and methodology have greatly improved as a result of SMASSE INSET. However the attitude and teaching approaches could not translate to good performance. In order to make SMASSE INSET more effective in schools and in the teaching of Physics, it could be included in the programs of Teacher Education at the level of teacher preparation.