Attitudes of students toward studying history and government in some selected secondary schools of Mosocho division,Kisii central district,Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate student attitudes towards studying History and Government in some selected secondary schools of Mosocho Division, Kisii Central District, Nyanza Province, Kenya. The study was conducted in both purposively and simple randomly sampled private and public secondary schools in Mosocho division, Kisii Central District. Mosocho division was purposively chosen because it was the only division in the district that comprised categor.ies chosen by the researcher. The target popula.tion was form two (2) students and their respective History and Government teachers. Data were collected using teachers and students questionnaires. The teacher questionnaire comprised both open-ended and closed items. The student questionnaire used a 5 pointlikert scale ranging from strongly agrees to strongly disagree. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data were presented with the aid of tables, percentages and, graphs. From the analyzed data major discussions were made and reported. Most of the students were found to be having negative attitude towards studying History .and Government. It was established that there were several factors like the teaching methods, teachers themselves, events and dates for memorization and availability of job opportu.nities that influenced the student attitudes. towards studying History and Government. The findings of this study helped the investigator to give suggestions and recommendations. The teachers should take the initiative to sensitize the students that all the subjects in the school curriculum contribute to different training careers in the future. Teachers should avoid using methods like the lecture and note taking because it is contrary for the students to sit, passive and inactive during lessons for long.Finally the students should be offered an opportunity to become researchers of History.