Greener Journal of Educational Research

Greener Journal of  Educational Research Vol. 5(3), pp. 078-097, July 2015

 ISSN: 2276-7789 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 071815099

(DOI http://doi.org/10.15580/GJER.2015.3.071815099)

 

Factors Influencing Student Academic Performance in Day-Secondary Schools in Kenya. A  Case Study of Migori Sub county

 

Odumbe Awino Grace, Enose M.W. Simatwa and Ayodo T.M.O.

 

Department of Educational Management and Foundations, Maseno University

Department of Educational Management and Foundations, Maseno University

Faculty of Education, Theology & Arts, Kabarak University

 

Corresponding Author’s E-mail: simatwae@ yahoo. com

Abstract

In Kenya, education receives the largest share of recurrent, public sector expenditure, 40%, which is aimed not only at expanding the capacity of learning, but also to ensure that efficiency of educational investments is increased. Quality should be maintained, so that the country’s needs for economic, social and technological development is achieved. Despite this expenditure on education by the government, generally schools in Migori Sub County perform poorly, with below average mean score of less than 6.0 (C), meaning that there is a lot of educational wastage. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors influencing student academic performance in day-secondary schools in Migori Sub County, Kenya. To achieve the purpose of the study, specific objectives were addressed; to find out the influence of student-related factors, teacher-related factors and school location on academic performance of students in Kenya Certificate of Secondary education examinations in day-secondary schools, in Migori Sub County, Kenya. The study used day-secondary schools, because they were more cost-effective for providing and expanding secondary education.   Descriptive survey research design was used to explore factors influencing student academic performance in day  secondary schools in Migori Sub County. The study population consisted of 25 head teachers, 251 teachers and 1750 students. The data was collected by use of Principals’, teachers’ and students’ questionnaire and an interview schedule for Principals. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means, frequency counts and percentages. Qualitative data was coded and analyzed in emergent themes. The findings of the study revealed that, absenteeism of students from school, low family income, long distance traveled by students to school and back, entry behavior and attitude of students towards the school, resulted in poor performance. Parental level of education, teachers’ age and teacher gender had low influence on student academic performance. The study revealed that performance was influenced positively by early syllabus completion, affluent urban and rural school locations. Location of schools in urban poor and rural poor environments lowers performance. This is due to lack of role models in their immediate environment.  The  study  recommends the strengthening of bursary scheme for needy students. The Ministry of Education Science and Technology, the government and other stakeholders  may find the findings of this study useful in improving the performance of students  in the day-secondary schools of Migori Sub county.

 

Key Words:    Factors, Student Academic Performance, Day Secondary Schools, Migori Sub county, Kenya.

Return to Content       View [Full Article - PDF]    

[Full Article - HTML]              [Full Article - EPUB]

Post-review Rundown

View/get involved, click [Post-Review Page]

References

Abagi O (1993). “Education for all in Kenya: Improving Access and Retention of marginal groups within the school system. In Basic Education Forum. Vol. 13,  Kenyatta University.

 

Abagi  O, Wamahio S (1995). House hold Based Factors and School Participation   for Girls. Lessons from the Existing Surveys. Abridged Research Report No.20,  Nairobi, Kenya: Academy Science Publishers.

 

Abagi O (1999). Education for the Next Decade: A Demarcation of Imperatives.  In Kimuyu, P., Wagacha, M. and Abagi, O. (Eds). Kenya’s Strategic Policies for  the 21st  Century: Macroeconomic and Sectoral Choices. Nairobi: IPAR.

 

Abagi O  &  Olweya J (1999). Government of Kenya/Netherlands Textbook Project Baseline Survey in Migori, Bungoma, Kajiado and Mwingi Sub county s.  Nairobi: Institute of Policy Analysis and Research.

 

Adeya H L (1986). “The Educational Background of Students in five Commercial  Secondary Schools in Nairobi" Unpublished Thesis submitted in partial  fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Education of the  University of Kenyatta, Kenya.

 

Ahmed M  & Coombs P H (1975). Education for Rural development, New York: Praeger  Publishers.

 

Arujo  C, Francisco F & Nobert S (2004). Is the Word Becoming More Unequal? Changes in the World Distribution of Schooling, Washington D.C. World Bank.

 

Asikhia O A  (2010). European Journal of Social Sciences-Volume 13, Number 2   Lagos State.

 

Avalos B (1986). Teaching Children of the Poor, Ottawa I.D.R.C.

 

Ayot  H O & Briggs H (1992). Economics of Education, Nairobi: Educational Research  and Publications.

 

Borg W R & Gall HD (1989). Exploring Relationships between Variables: The Causals Comparative Method in Educational Research, New York: Longman.

 

Borg RW & Gall D M (1996). Educational Research. An Introduction, New York:  Longmann.

 

Central Bureau of Statistics (2005). “Geographic Dimensions of Wellbeing in Kenya:  Who and Where are the poor”. Ministry of Planning and National Development,  Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Chege A (1986).  Research Priorities in Area of School Facilities. Presented at the Education Research Priority Seminar at Mombasa on 12 - 14th November.

 

Commonwealth Secretariat (1970). Education in Rural Areas, Report of the Commonwealth: Conference on Education in Rural Areas held at  the University of Ghana. Accra, London; Commonwealth Secretariat.

 

Commonwealth Secretariat (1974). Sixth Commonwealth Education Conference Report. London:  Marborough House.

 

Coombs P H (1968). The World Education Crisis. New York: Oxford University   Press.

 

Cowell R N & Holsinger D B (2000). Positioning Secondary School Education in Developing Countries. Paris: UNESCO, IIEP.

 

Daily Nation. (2002). April 22nd, P. 8 Educational Publishers.

 

Deininger K (2003). “Does Cost of Schooling Affect Enrolment by the Poor?  Universal Education in Uganda”, Economics of Education Review.

 

Deolalikar A (1999). Primary and Secondary Education in Kenya: A Sector  Review, mimeo, Human Development Sector Unit, Eastern Africa Region. The       World Bank, Washington DC.

 

Eshiwani G (1993). Education in Kenya since Independence. Nairobi: East African    Educational Publishers.

 

Fleshman M  (2005). “Giant Step for Kenya’s Schools Progress for Both Boys and Girls Towards Millennium Education Goal, Africa Renewal 2005.

 

Fraenkel J R & Wallen N E (2003). How to Design and Evaluate Research in    Education (5thEd). New York: Mc Graw-Hill.

 

Fuller B (2011). Cross-national Differences in Educational Achievement Inequality. Washington D.C: World Bank.

 

Fox W, Schwartz A, & Merrill E (1965). Managerial Guide for School Principals, Ohio.Charles E. Merill Book Inc.

 

Gall M O, Borg, WR. & Gall J P (1996). Educational Research. An Introduction, Sixth Edition. New York: Longman.

 

Gardiner R (1988). Teachers’ Education in Developing Countries: Prospects for the Eighties, London: University of London Institute of Education

 

Gathu, K. (2000). The Search for Gender Sensitive Curriculum and School Practices: Future Directions, Swaziland: University of Swaziland.

 

Gogo J O (2006). The Impact of Cost-Sharing Strategy of Access, Equity and Quality of Secondary Education in Rachuonyo Sub county , Kenya. Unpublished  MED. Thesis, Maseno University, Kenya

 

Graham B (1998). Education in the Developing World: Conflict and Crisis. London:   Macmillan.

 

Griffins V L (1968).The Problems of Rural Education. UNESCO: I.I.E.P. United    Nations.

 

Grissay  A & Mahlick L (2000). The Quality of Education in Developing Countries. I.I.E.P.

 

Heynemann S B & Loxley W (1983). “The Effect of Primary School Quality in Academic  Achievement across 29 high and Low Income Sub county s”. American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 188, No-6, pp. 1162-1194.

 

Indoshi F C (1992). “Implementation of the 8-4-4 Primary School Curriculum in Kenya: A Case Study of Eldoret Municipality”, Unpublished M.Phil. Thesis, Moi  University.

 

Jagero N O (1999). “An Evaluation of the Factors Affecting the Quality of Education in Day Secondary Schools in Kenya: A case study of Kisumu Sub county ”, Unpublished M.Phil. Thesis, Moi University.

 

Juma M N (1994). Determination of Female Participation in Primary Education, a Study of  Kwale and Taita Taveta Sub county s. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, Kenyatta University. 

 

Karani F,  Wainaina G, Anyangu M A, Okumbe J A & Getau KW (1995). Cost and  Financing of Education in Kenya: Study 2: Access, Quality and Equity in Education and World Bank.

 

Kathuri NJ (1986). Factors that Influence Performance in C.P.E. Nairobi, Kenya: Bureau of  Educational Research, K. University.

 

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Statistical Abstract, Nairobi: Government Printer. 

 

Kipkoech JW (2004). “The Effectiveness of School Management on Performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. A Case Study of Secondary School in Koibatek Sub county ”, Unpublished Med Thesis, Moi University.

 

Kristyna C (1990). Literacy for Rural Women in Third World, UNESCO.

 

Lustig N (1999). Crisis and the Poor, Socially Responsible Macroeconomics.  Santiago.

 

Malassis L (1976). The Rural Education and Development. Paris: UNESCO Press.

 

Malenya F L (2008). The Free Secondary Education Agenda. Nairobi: Kenya, K.I.E.

 

Mbiti D M (1977). Foundations of Schools Administration. Nairobi: Oxford University   Press.

 

Mensch B & Lloyd C (1997). Gender Difference in Schooling Experiences of Adolescents in Low Income Countries. The Case of Kenya. A paper presented for the National Academy of Sciences of Committee on Population, Washington D.C March 27th- 29th.

 

Ministry of Education (2007). Elimu News, Issue No.1, Nairobi. UNESCO.

 

Ministry of Education (2007). Elimu News, Issue No.2, Nairobi. UNESCO.

 

Ministry of Education, Science & Technology  (2005a).  Education Statistical Booklet.  Nairobi: Government of Printer.

 

Ministry of Education, Science & Technology (2005b). Kenya Education Sector Support Programme. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.

 

Misoy E C (2011). Factors Affecting Academic Achievement of Day Secondary Schools in Nandi Sub county , Kenya. Unpublished MED Thesis, Kenyatta University, Kenya.

 

Mugenda O M & Mugenda A G (2003). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, Nairobi: ACTS Press.

 

Mwaka M (1994). “Kamotho warns on Passing the Buck”, Nairobi: Kenya.

 

Ndege B (2011). Nyanza Poverty Rate. Nairobi: government Printer.

 

Ngala F, J A (1997).” Management of Teachers  by Head teachers and it’s  influence on Pupil Achievement. A Case Study of Primary Schools in Eldoret Municipality”,  Unpublished Thesis, Moi University.

 

Novicki M A (2012). Boosting Basic Education in Africa, Special Initiative, World Bank.

 

Odada J E & Ayako A B (1989). Impact of Structural Adjustment Policies on the  Well Being of the Vulnerable Groups in Kenya, Nairobi: UNICEF.

 

Oduor A (2015, July 8th ). New proposal seeks to deny school heads power to control billions. The Standard Group Centre. P. 6. www.standardmedia.co.ke retrieved on 8th July 2015 at 8am.

 

Oloo MA (2003). Gender Disparity in Students’ Performance in Kenya Certificate Of Secondary Education in Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Migori Sub county, Kenya. Unpublished Master of Education. Thesis, Maseno University.

 

Psacharopoulos G & Woodhall M (1985). Education for Development. An Analysis of Investment Choices. New York: IBRD/World Bank.

 

Psacharopoulos G (1975). Earnings in Education in 0.E.C.D. Countries, Paris: O.E.C.D.

 

Republic of Kenya (1998). Master Plan on Education and Training 1997-2010. Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2002). Migori Sub county  Development Plan, 2002-2008, Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2000). Education Statistical Booklet, 1990-1998, FAWE Kenya Chapter.  Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2000). Second Report on Poverty in Kenya Vol. 11, Poverty and Social Indicators, Ministry of Finance and Planning. Nairobi:  Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2001). Statistical abstract. Nairobi: Central Bureau of Statistics.

 

Republic of Kenya (2005). Migori Sub county Strategic Plan, 2005-2010. Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2005). Sessional Paper Number One of 2005.  A Policy Framework for Educational Training and Research. Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2006). Ministry of Education Strategic Plan 2006-2011. Nairobi:  Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2007). Kenya Vision 2030, A Globally Competitive and Prosperous Kenya. Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2007). Third Annual Progress Report, 2005/2006, The Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation, 2003-2007. Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2008). First Medium Term Plan (2008-2012), Kenya vision 2030, A Globally Competitive and Prosperous Kenya, Nairobi: Government Printer.   Republic of Kenya, (2009). National Youth Situation Analysis Report, UNICEF, Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya, (2010). First Annual Progress Report on Implementation of the First Medium Term Plan (2010-2012) of Kenya Vision 2030, Nairobi: Kenya.

 

Republic of Kenya, (2010). Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals  (MDGs) in  Kenya. Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya (2010). Kenya National Human Development Report, 2009, Youth and Human Development: Tapping the Untapped resource, UNDP, Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Republic of Kenya, (2010). Sub county  Strategic Plan, 2005-2010: for Implementation of the National Population Policy for Sustainable Development. Nairobi: Government Printer.

 

Rumberger W R (2009). Who Drops Out of School and Why? Paper prepared for National Research Council, Committee on Educational Excellence and Testing Equity Workshop. Washington D.C.

 

Saleemi M A (1997). Statistics Simplified. Nairobi: N.A. Saleemi Publishers.

 

Singleton R A, Straits, B C & Straits M (1993). Approaches to Social Research. Second Edition. New York; Oxford University Press.

 

UNESCO (2011). Global Education Digest, by the Institute of the U.N.  Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organ. Paris: UNESCO

 

United Nations (2001). Human Development Report Addressing Social and Economic Disparities for Human Development in Kenya, World Bank.

 

United Nations (1989) Sub-Saharan Africa from Crisis to Sustainable Growth, Washington. D.C. World Bank.

 

United Nations (1988). Education in Sub-Saharan Africa, Policies for Adjustment Revitalization and Expansion, Washington D.C. World Bank.

 

United Nations (1981). Education and Development in Africa, London: Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

 

World Bank (1980).  Education, Sector Policy Paper, Washington D.C: World Bank.

 

World Bank (1992). Education Sector Policy Paper, Washington D.C: World Bank.

 

World Bank (2005). “Equity and Development”, World Development Report 2006, Washington D.C: World Bank.

 

World Bank (2005). Expanding Opportunities and Building Competencies for Young People: A new Agenda for Secondary Education. Washington D.C: World Bank.

 

World Bank (2012). Transitions in Secondary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa:  Equity and Efficiency Issues. Washington D.C: World Bank.

 

World Bank. (2002a). What Works in Girls Education, School Completion Rates. Washington D.C: World Bank.