Publication: An investigation into dismal performance in Kenya Certificate of primary education (K.C.P.E) in public schools: A case of south Imenti district, Meru county.
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2013-10
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Education is the best legacy a nation can give her citizens especially the children and youth. This
is because the development of any nation or community depends on the quality of education. It is
generally believed that the basis of any true development must commence with the development
of the human resource. The formal education remains the vehicle for social economic development
and social mobilization of any society. The purpose of the study was to find out the challenges
contributing to pupils’ dismal performance in K.C.P.E in public primary schools in South Imenti
district with a view to suggesting ways for better performance. The objectives of the study were to
establish whether the availability of learning facilities/resources in schools is related to student’s
performance in K.C.P.E examinations; to establish how school community relation and support
affects students performance in K.C.P.E examination in South Imenti District; to investigate the
extent of supervision and inspection in public school in South Imenti
District by Quality assurance and standards officers and to investigate the influence of poverty to
the academic performance in K.C.P.E level in South Imenti District. The study utilized the
Qualitative and Quantitative designs. The Qualitative used interviews on small samples while the
Quantitative method utilized the quantifiable data. The target was six primary schools of South
Imenti district, which included the head teachers, teachers and students. The study used descriptive
method. The study utilized the probability sampling technique which was limited to stratified
sampling procedure. The main procedures used to collect data were; use of questionnaires,
interviews and observation. The questionnaires were self-completed. The interviews were used to
clarify the information. It is a convenient scapegoat to pass the blame and responsibility for the
low academic performance to factors such as socio-economic status, family, culture and the learner
being less intelligent than the others. The data was organized in frequency tables and inferential
statistics applied to analyze the data in terms of percentages and the conclusions was drawn which
was used by other researchers, teachers and students in improving general performance of K.C.P.E
Examination. The study found that teaching aids/resources in the school were inadequate. Head
teachers involved teachers in decision making about student discipline to a great extent. Teachers
had attended in service training courses in the past two years once. Majority of the students were
financially poor. Majority of students’ guardian’s level of education was form four. The study
concluded that teachers need support; school leadership is a crucial factor in the success of a
school, high percentage of head teachers rarely checked teachers’ schemes of work, lesson plans
and records of work and most of the parents were not well educated. Guardian’s level of education
affected the academic performance. The study recommends head teachers to adopt a democratic
style of leadership. Head teachers should be knowledgeable in managerial skills. The schools need
to embrace use of national languages (English and Swahili) as the medium of communication.
Public primary Mschools need to have an equipped library, stationery, electronic equipment,
furniture, fittings and duplicating machines. Teachers and students should ensure they don’t waste
time when they are supposed to be learning. Regular staff meetings with various members of staff
at different levels must be held for academic and administrative reasons. The study recommends
parents to inspect the children’s class work regularly and they should attend meetings in school.
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Keywords
Partial fulfillment, Leadership management