Predictors of Academic Motivation of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kiambu County, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Munge, Anne Muthoni
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study sought to investigate the predictors of Academic Motivation in public
secondary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. Students’ lack of motivation in studies
while in secondary school has led to dismal performance in Kenya Certificate of
Secondary exams which means that many students do not benefit much even after the
four years of secondary school. Such a concern called for investigation. To accomplish
this task, the study was guided by four research hypotheses. These included: There is a
significant relationship between parental involvement and academic motivation of
students in public secondary schools in Kiambu County. There is a significant
relationship between school connectedness and academic motivation of students in
public secondary schools in Kiambu County. There are gender differences in students’
academic motivation in public secondary schools in Kiambu County. There is a
significant relationship between the satisfaction of psychological needs and academic
motivation in public secondary schools in Kiambu County. The study made reference to
Self-Determination Theory by Deci and Ryan, (1985). The study also made use of SPSS
computer software for data analysis. A descriptive survey design was adopted because it
enabled the researcher to establish the relationship between the four predictor variables
and their influence on Academic Motivation. The population, comprised of the form
three students, 2016. The sample consisted of 240 students from 8 public schools who
were selected through simple random sampling. The researcher also carried out a pilot
study to check out if the respondents were consistent with the items provided in the
questionnaire. The researcher sought expert judgment from the supervisor in developing
and revising the research instrument to ensure that there was validity and also to ensure
that the research instrument yielded consistent results after repeated trials. The
researcher made use of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) to carry out
statistical procedures. The data was analyzed through the quantitative technique. The
core purpose of this study was to investigate factors that may enhance a more
sustainable academic motivation during the high school period so that students get value
from the education process. The study revealed that students whose parents are
concerned with their students’ studies, depicted higher levels of academic motivation.
Students also recorded high levels of motivation if the school environment was
conducive. Further, it was evident that students whose innate psychological needs were
met, were highly motivated in their studies. If the three factors were met and strategies
laid down for implementation, many students would benefit academically. Among the
recommendations that emanated from the findings was that; parents should be
enlightened on the need to get actively involved in the academic activities of their
students. The teachers should strive to understand and meet the students’ needs while in
school, this will motivate students to learn and eventually attain value for education,
which is the core purpose of any education process.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for
the Award of the Masters of Education Degree in the
School of Education of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Academic Motivation, Public Secondary Schools, Kenya