The influence of student motivation on academic performance in public secondary schools in Dagoreti Sub county, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if student motivation has any influence on academic performance in public secondary schools in Dagoretti sub –county, Nairobi. Three objectives guided this study: to establish if student motivation has any influence on academic performance in public secondary schools, determine the sustainability of motivational techniques used on the students and to find out if lack of self motivation is a major cause of poor academic performance among students. This study used survey research design that targeted a population of 264 teachers in public secondary schools in Dagoretti sub-county. From this population a sample of 40 teachers were selected. The method of data collection involved use of questionnaires that were supplemented by use of face to face interviews. Data analysis involved use of frequency counts and percentages. One of the key findings is that giving of prizes to students is the most effective motivational technique. The research also revealed that the sustainability of motivational methods is not guaranteed. The other major finding is that self motivation among students is a major factor in good academic performance. Therefore the study concluded that student motivation has a positive influence on academic performance. The researcher recommended that future studies focus on how motivational techniques can be made to have longer effect, the exact relationship between self motivation and academic performance. It was further recommended that researchers should focus on how to make content delivery more stimulating to motivate learning.