Publication: The causes of poor perfomance in Physics in day secondary schools in Kiera educational zone in Tharaka nithi county
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2014-11
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
The performance of physics in secondary schools has always been below average. This study
sought to investigate the factors that have contributed to this and establish strategies that can be
adopted to ensure there is an improvement especially in Kiera Zone of Tharaka Nithi County.
The study sought to provide answers to the following questions: what causes poor performance
in KCSE physics examination, what are the effects of teacher qualification and instructional
approaches on the national examination in physics, what is the effect of learners’ attitude on their
performance, and how the availability of resources affects student’s performance. Descriptive
survey research method was adopted for the study. The study also employed the motivation
theory of Abraham Maslow (1943). The target population comprised of 70 form four secondary
school candidates 6 physics teachers and four head teachers. The data was collected using two
questionnaires one for students and one for the physics teachers. An interview guide was used to
collect information from the principles. The factors that led to poor performance included under
staffing, lack of motivation, inadequate teaching and learning materials and negative attitude
towards physics among the students. Improving on these factors is essential so as to improve the
performance of physics.
It is anticipated that the findings of this study will give both the curriculum developers and
implementers an insight into emerging issues on performance and influence the ministry of
education as well as the county governments on policy formulation. The students are also
expected to benefit from the study findings. This because improved physics performance will
give them opportunities to undertake science related courses.
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