Factors Affecting Academic Performance Among Primary School Boys in Kieni West District, Nyeri County

Abstract

Gender disparity in various spheres of life is common and has been affecting the social economic and political development over the years. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors affecting boys’ academic performance in Kieni West District. The objective of the study were: to investigate how poverty affects boys; academic performance in Kieni West district, to establish how the male guardians’ level of education contribute to boys academic performance in Kieni West district, to find out whether teachers’ gender affects academic performance of boys in Kieni West district and to find out how the amount of time that boys spend in studying affects their academic performance. The target population were teachers and pupils of public primary schools in Kieni West district. The researcher used stratified random sampling to select 24 schools and systematic random sampling to select 68 teachers and 369 students. Questionnaires were used as the data collection instruments for teachers and pupils. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data after which the results were presented using tables and graphs. The outcome of the study may have a direct relevance to the primary school teachers and parents as they may know how they can help to improve boy’s academic performance in their schools. This study also added to the existing knowledge and stimulates further research on different aspects that affect the performance of boys. The government through the regulatory bodies may find the results of this study valuable as it may give them an important insight into the dynamics of improving academic performance in primary schools and more so that of boys. The study found out that poverty was the major factor that affects boys’ academic performance. Another factor affecting boy’s academic performance according to the study was male guardians as they are looked upon as role models and source of inspiration by boys. The gender of the teacher and time boys spend in study also played a big role in boys’ academic performance. The study recommended that male guardians be sensitized on the impact they have on the boy child academic performance and still avoid involving the boy child to child labour which affects their performance.