The history performance in secondary schools, specifically in Borabu and Nyamira.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine factors influencing students History performance in secondary schools in Nyamira County. History is one of the subjects in secondary school curriculum. However it has been noted that its performance in KCSE has been comparatively declining in relation with other humanities such as Geography and Christian religious education. This has therefore prompted a study to be carried out so as to establish the major factors that affect the performance of history. The focus was on the links between education providers, facilitators, and learning environments, which includes all facilities and infrastructure, availability of materials and performance in secondary schools at district levels. The study involved 100 students, 4 heads of schools, 8 teachers, 4 education officers, 2 district education officers. Surveying interview method, elite interviews and document review were methods used to collect data. The data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study found that there is no impressive performance among ward secondary schools in Nyamira and Borabu. Some of the challenges that are limit their performance include; limited number of teachers per number of students; lack of conducive teaching and learning environment, and shortage of teaching and learning materials. Other factors were associated with the employment of unqualified of teachers, lack of reliable libraries and laboratories, weak communication among teachers and parents and students and poor classroom attendance by teachers Finally, the study recommends the following: there is a need to collect more information in order to have a good generalization and better understanding of factors influencing students History performance in secondary schools in Kenya. Not only that, but also, there is a need for the government authorities through participatory planning to implement secondary school development programs for the sustainability and bright future of existing the secondary school, instead of adding other secondary schools.