Publication: An investigation of the socio-economic influence on students Performance in public secondary schools. A case study of Gucha South district schools, Gusii county, Kenya.
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2013-10
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of students’ socio-economic background on
academic achievement in public secondary schools in Gucha south District, Kenya. The objectives
of the study were to; determine the effect of type of public secondary school on academic
achievements, determine the effect of parental income on academic achievement of student’s in
public secondary schools, determine the effects of parent’s occupation on student’s academic
achievement. The study covered a period of one month and involved form three students, teachers,
deputy head teachers and head teachers in public secondary schools. The study utilized a
descriptive survey research design and the target population was 189 teachers, 33 deputy head
teachers, 33 head teachers, and 1634 parents’ and1634 students’ sample size of 475 was selected
to participate in the study. The deputy head teachers and head teachers were obtained through
purposive sampling while teachers and students were obtained by simple random sampling. The
study used questionnaires to collect data. The researcher obtained an introductory letter from
Mount Kenya University and a research permit from National council for Research Science and
Technology. The researcher personally administered the instrument to the participants and allowed
them 3 days to fill all the items. Before data analysis, it was cleaned to remove outliers. Descriptive
statistics was used to analyze quantitative data. Specifically, frequency counts and percentages
were used for quantitative data while qualitative data was discussed thematically. The results were
presented in form of tables and graphical illustrations. The study found that most of the schools
were in rural high agriculture area and were district schools. Fee paid by students per term was
15,000-20,000. Income levels of the parents affected their children choice of school. Parents were
not able to spend part of their income to buy learning resources. The study found that the children
were involved in after-school activities. The parents were peasant farmers. The study concludes
that type of school affected the student’s academic achievement. Income levels of the parents
affected their children choice of school. Parents’ education background affected the student’s
academic achievement. The study recommends the government should add resources to this
district. This will benefit low income students. The government should work with the community
to uplift their economic level thus reducing poverty. The schools need to mix students whose
parents are in different economic activities and occupations. Parents should be enlightened on the
need for education.