Factors influencing Academic performance of public Secondary Schools in Matungulu District, Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Good performance in National examination is seen as a sign of quality in education systems that are examination oriented. Despite the Government of the republic of Kenya commitment to provide high quality education, students’ academic achievements remains a challenge in the secondary schools in Matungulu District; Machakos County .The available statistics indicate that the district has consistently registered poor results in Kenya certificate of secondary education examination. It also shows that the secondary education standards in the division have been declining. This poses a serious threat to the socio-economic and socio- cultural factors influencing academic performance of public secondary schools in Matungulu District. The study adopted a descriptive survey design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The target population was all the public schools in Matungulu District, their teachers, parents and students. The schools were randomly sampled using the lottery technique. The study involved a sample of 50 teachers, 50 parents and 200 students. Making a total of 300 participants. Data were collected using a student’s questionnaire, and an observational checklist. Reliability and validity of the research instrument were determined by pilot study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics: quantitative data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences. The study also aims at assessing the gap that exists between the two groups of performers (low and high performers). It is also the aim of the study to investigate the role of parents, environment and the school in influencing academic performance of secondary school students in Matungulu District From the study, factors within the school and home environment influence academic performance of the public secondary schools in the district. The parental socio-economic factors, school environmental factors, provisional of instructional materials and socio- cultural factors. Based on these findings, it was recommended that libraries to be fully equipped so as to expose the learners to a bigger world and environment; Parents to support their children and portray a positive attitude towards education; school administrators to undergo education management and administration courses so as to improve efficiency; sensitization in societal beliefs, values and practices which hinder education outcomes; and reviewing, improving and strengthening guidance and counseling.