Publication:

Efficiency in education and academic performance in Kauwi day mixed secondary schools in Mutongonguni Division, Kitui County.

The study focused on the effects of absenteeism in Kauwi Day Mixed Secondary School on academic performance. The causes of absenteeism were mentioned as follows; child labor, poverty, ignorance, bulling, isolation, drug abuse, lack of motivation, lack of proper role models, lack of proper rules and regulations, peer pressure and bad attitudes. The objectives of the study included; finding out the causes of absenteeism and its effects, to find if there is proper rules governing absenteeism in the school, to find out if parents of Kauwi Day Mixed Secondary School talk to their children on school attendance. It was expected that the findings of this study improved school attendance of students thus improving their academic performance in national examinations. The research was done in the purpose of reducing absenteeism in Kauwi Day Mixed Secondary School, creating awareness on the effects of absenteeism in schools towards academic performance. The recommendations of the research study was that teachers, parents and PTA members should be concerned with the creation of awareness to the students’ on the effects of absenteeism towards academic performance. In this research, not only the causes which were mentioned but also the effects of absenteeism on academic performance. Some of the effects included; poor performance, lack of educational information, suspension from school and school dropouts. The study adapted the descriptive survey design. The population included teachers, parents, students and members of school committee. The study used both purposive and simple random sampling designs. The sample size composed of 11 teachers, 20 parents, 5 school committee members and 114 students giving a total population of 150 individuals. Three types of research instruments were used i.e. a Questionnaire, an Interview schedule and observation schedules. The content validity was tested. Test-retest method was used to test the reliability of the instruments. Pilot study was done in two selected schools. An introductory letter from the University and a permit from MOE were sought. The researcher visited the sampled schools and administered the questionnaires to the teachers and students. The researcher conducted the interview at the committee members. The data was analysed by descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). Findings were presented in frequency distribution tables and bar graphs. The research findings were deduced.