Assessment of factors influencing perfomance in primary school science in Kisumu East Sub-County, Kisumu County, Kenya
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Date
2016-11
Authors
Ochieng, Domnic Deka
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The prime purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence the performance in
primary school science. The objectives of the study were to investigate the pupil related factors
influencing academic performance in school science, to examine the school related factors
affecting the learning of science in primary schools in Kisumu East Sub-county, to determine the
teacher related factors influencing the learning of science in primary schools in Kisumu East subcounty
and to establish the ways of improving pupil's performance in primary science in Kisumu
East sub-county. The study used the General systems theory on which the conceptual framework
was anchored; it is also from this that the variables were drawn. The study locale was Kisumu
East Sub-County where 62 public primary schools were targeted for the study. The study was
based on a wide and extensive literature review on what other scholars had researched. This
study was enacted to fill the existing gap on pupil performance in school science. The study
sample was limited to 10 schools selected by use of Systematic Sampling method based on
academic performance in previous National Examinations. The research identified 200 learners
randomly selected from a population of 6000 pupils. It also involved Standard Six to Eight
learner respondents and Science teachers in the sampled schools. Data for the study was obtained
by use of two sets of questionnaires, one for the learners and the other for science teachers.
Additional data was obtained by use of interview schedules for Headteachers and Zonal
Education officers. The researcher also used an observation schedule to collect data on the state
of physical facilities and science instructional resources available in the schools, classroom
procedures used during science lessons and improvisation of learning materials in the sampled
schools. The data collected were edited, coded and then analysed using MS Excel. The results
cbtained were presented in tables, graphs and pie-charts depicting frequency distribution and
percentages. Descriptive statistics technique was used to examine, analyse and describe data. The
formula of spearman coefficient of correlation was used during piloting to determine the
reliability of the research instruments. The following were the findings of the study; augmented
classroom population, unavailability and underutilization of teaching and learning resources in
schools, congested science curriculum and inadequate teaching time among other factors. The
following were among the important recommendations of the study: That the government should
I' invest in learning materials and resources for- science to facilitate academic performance, develop
capacity building programmes for education officers, headteachers and science teachers to help
them know how to apply and evaluate their pedagogical skills in teaching and handling of
scientific issues. The researcher also suggests that curriculum developers should seek opinion
fromthe learners, teachers, headteachers and other officers to provide inclusive ideas on science
content arrangement and re- evaluate the curriculum to ensure that the current scientific issues
are entrenched in the curriculum for comprehensive coverage. Teachers Training Institutions
should also develop and adopt ways of helping science teachers overcome the identified
challenges. Equally, teachers are advised to employ heuristic teaching and learning methods to
ensure proper participation by learners and hands-on practices during science lessons.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of Master of Education in the School of
Education of Kenyatta University. November, 2016