Influence of horticultural farming on academic performance of pupils in Primary schools in Timau Division of Buuri District

Abstract

The horticultural industry prov ides an important source of foreign exchange, generates substantial employment, and has contributed to the upgrading of agricultural skills. A number of studies have raised concerns about the benefits that export horticulture provides to employees and the wider economy. However, most people in the horticultural farming areas are paid in wages since they cannot afford to buy farms. Their wages range from Ksh 100 to 200 in a day. Further these people work for long hours in a day (6.00 am to 6.00pm). Parents w orking in these farms barely spend time with their children. In addition, most of the children in these areas accompany their parents to these horticultural farms; mostly over the weekends. Despite all the laid down strategies by the education stakeholders in Timau division to ensure students perform well in KCPE examinations, many students still continue to perform dismally. The purpose of the study wa s to establish the influence of horticultural farming on academic performance of pupils in primary schools in Timau Division of Buuri District. This stud use d descriptive research design. The target population for this study was t eachers, students and parents in primary schools located in Timau division. The target population of this study was therefore 3156 . The researcher use d a stratified sampling to select teachers’ pupils and parents from each of the schools. The sample size of this study was therefore 342 respondents. This study u se d both secondary and primary data. Primary data was collected by use of qu estionnaires. Each of the primary schools had one group to discuss the questions in the focus group discussion guide. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data while content analysis was used in processing of qualitative data. The resear cher also use d a multivariate regression model. T he study found that there is a negative re lationship between child labour, horticultural income, teachers’ participation and parents’ involvement and academic performance of primary schools. The study also e stablished that hunger was highly affecting academic performance of pupils in Timau division. This study therefore recommends that schools in Timau division should create a program where children will be eating in schools. The study also established that p arents were not attending school functions and activities. The study also recommends that parents should spare time and show their commitment t o the academic performance of their children by attending school meetings and by following up their children’s pe rformance