Factors affecting performance in physics among students in public secondary schools in Kiambu sub-county
Abstract
The importance of physics as a basis for technology is obvious although the number of students
taking physics as their performance in secondary school is declining. This study sought to
determine the factors influencing the performance of physics in public secondary schools in
Kiambu Sub County. The study was guided by the following objectives: i) To determine the student
factors that influence performance in Physics. ii) To establish the influence of Physics teachers in
the students’ performance of Physics. iii) To investigate the effect of the school environment on
students’ performance of Physics. The findings of the study would be useful to policy makers in the
education sector to help put policies in place which may increase the performance of Physics in
Kiambu Sub County. To guide the study, literature on student factors, teacher influences and school
environment factors that influence the performance of Physics was reviewed. The study adopted
descriptive survey design to collect data on factors that influence the performance of physics in
public secondary schools in Kiambu Sub County. The study utilized a sample of one hundred and
twenty students (120) as the respondents for this study. Data collected using questionnaires was
analysed using SPSS computer program. The findings were summarized and reported in
percentages and frequencies using distribution tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The study found
that students were influenced in their performance in Physics through their career goals, their poor
attitude towards Physics, their perception of Physics as difficult, and their gender. The study also found
that teachers influenced the students’ performance in Physics through their missing of classes, poor
relationship with students, and poor methods of teaching. The study finally found that school
environment influenced the performance in Physics by the availability of laboratory equipment. The
study concluded that students, teachers and school environment characteristics influenced the
performance students in Physics in Kiambu sub-county. The study recommended that students should be
encouraged and given opportunities to develop positive attitude towards Physics. Further the study
recommended that the teachers should cultivate a good relationship with students to improve the
students’ attitudes. Finally the study recommended that schools should ensure that their environment is
favorable for Physics by establishing laboratories which are well equipped with learning materials for
practical lessons. For further research the study recommended that another study be done to evaluate the
influence of parents in the performance of Physics which was not a concern of this study.
Collections
- School of Education [1965]