Covid- 19 Pandemic And Its Impact On The Lecturers’ And Students’ Performance In Teaching And Learning At Kenyatta University, Kenya
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Date
2022-04
Authors
Kombo, Kisilu
Itumo, Joshua M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Machakos University
Abstract
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions in all aspects of
human life across the globe. In the education sector, university calendars were re-scheduled and
in-class learning was commuted to online platforms. The present study focused on performance
of lecturers and students at Kenyatta University. The chosen institution has the second largest
number of enrolled students and it is ranked as number 2 in Kenya. Performance, in this study,
is broadly defined as ‘the expectations placed on the lecturers and students during their stay at
the University’. Performance during the post-Covid period has received little attention in
literature relating to adjustments in universities. A case study approach was adopted within the
broad mixed-methods research design. Interviews and questionnaires were used to obtain
qualitative data. Quantitative data derived from questionnaires was computed into mean and
Standard Deviation scores. This was further subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using
the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The Pearson-mark was also used to
correlate the data. The findings indicated that interactive activities were drastically reduced
during the post- Covid period; a significant number of classes and postgraduate defenses were
postponed for various reasons. Make-up classes were created from time to time; reduced class
attendance; failure by students to remain in classes throughout the entire class sessions; internet
interruptions and numerous disconnections were reported. Modules were written as a stopgap
measure for augmenting lost time. The paradigm shifts in pedagogical approaches impeded, to
some extent, the lecturers and students’ performance. Activities on proposal writing for funding
and research activities were drastically reduced. In conclusion, the University lost heavily due
the intermittent resurgence of the pandemic and a sluggish approach to confront it. The study
recommends a robust online-based system of monitoring classes and postgraduate defenses;
provision of internet for both students and lecturers in order to avoid numerous disconnections.
Lastly, both students and lecturers should be proactive in order to surmount the Covid-19 related
challenges.
Description
A research paper in Machakos University Journal of Science and Technology, ISSN2707-6741 Vol. 3, April 2022
Keywords
Performance, e-trinities, monitoring, challenges, interactions, disruptions
Citation
Machakos University Journal of Science and Technology, ISSNVol. 3, April 2022