Differences in mathematic performance among secondary school students in Githunguri District of Kiambu County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2012-07-09
Authors
Mbuthia, Anne Nyambura
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The study adopted descriptive survey design in investigating into differences in mathematics performance among students in secondary schools with an aim of defining the intensity and shedding light into situations that require urgent attention by the education stakeholders in achievement of the National Goals of Education as well as promotion of gender equity by 2015 (Vision 2030). The variables used for the study were the structure of school and gender. To achieve the purpose of the study, 32 schools in the region were sampled using stratified random sampling techniques with an attempt to classify schools into mixed schools, girls' only and boys' only secondary schools. Two schools were selected from each strata using simple random sampling (balloting) to make a sample of six schools (18.75% of the total). From the sampled schools, simple random sampling technique was be used to pick 10 students per form to make a total of 40 students and two mathematics teachers per school. Purposive sampling technique was used to pick head teachers and class teachers. Thus the respondent included 6(18.75%) head teachers, 12(12.24%) mathematics teachers and 10 students per form to make a total of 40 students per school. Half of the sampled students were boys while girls comprised the other half. The entire sampling matrix in the study yielded a total sample size of 258 respondents. Data was collected using documentary analysis, a questionnaire for students and teachers while interview schedules gathered the opinion of the head teachers. The researcher determined the validity of research instruments through consultation with the supervisors. A pilot study was done to test the reliability of the instrument. Having established that the instruments were reliable and valid, they were administered to the respondents. The data collected was organized into themes, relating to inequalities by structure of school per gender and opinions of teachers and students concerning the inequalities. Organized responses were analyzed statistically using SPSS and hypothesis tested: Data was presented using frequency, percent and graphs. The findings were given by objectives and indicated presence of inequalities in mathematics performance with the boys being favored. To curb this trend, it was suggested that mentoring programs to change attitude should not only be done on students but also teachers as well as school heads in the region for improved performance.
Description
Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies,78p.The QA 14 .K4M3 2011
Keywords
Mathematics --Study and teaching (Secondary) --Kenya, Mathematics --Examinations --Kenya