Determinants of Students’ KCSE Examinations Performance among Young National Schools in Samburu, Marsabit and Isiolo Counties, Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Ireri, Edwin Mutugi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Kenya’s Ministry of Education elevated 96 provincial schools to national schools in 2011. The exercise aimed to increase such cadre of schools across the country and increase admission to national schools from 4000 to 10,000 students annually. This study was conceived on the realization that performance in KCSE examinations by some of the young national schools was very low to the extent that the average grade in some of those schools was lower than the university entry grade. KCSE examination results for several years reveal that old national schools perform better than young national schools in Kenya. This study sought to establish the determinants of performance in KCSE examinations in young national schools in Marsabit, Samburu and Isiolo counties. The objectives of this study were: To determine the influence of staffing on KCSE performance in the young national schools; to establish the influence of infrastructural facilities on KCSE performance; to determine the influence of instructional materials on KCSE performance in young national schools, and to determine the influence of enrollment on KCSE performance in young national schools. The study employed correlational research design and was carried out in the five young national schools from Samburu, Marsabit and Isiolo counties. The target population for the study was 5 principals, 150 teachers, 3 examinations officers and 3 staffing officers. The study sample comprised of five principals, 60 teachers, 3 examinations officers and 3 staffing officers. Observation, interview schedules and questionnaires were used in the collection of data. The validity of the research instruments was improved by seeking support from research experts, supervisors and experienced lecturers. Piloting was conducted in one young national school outside the study region. Purposive and proportionate sampling techniques were applied in the selection of the sample. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Statistical analysis of data was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The study established that academic performance in the young national schools is influenced by staffing, infrastructural facilities, instructional materials and enrollment. Results from multiple regression analysis of the dependent and independent variables indicated that staffing, enrollment, infrastructural facilities and instructional materials positively impacted performance at a 5% level of significance. Instructional materials had the highest influence of 0.329, followed by enrollment (0.273), then infrastructural facilities with a coefficient of 0.189 and staffing with a coefficient of 0.156. The schools were understaffed. Pearson correlation showed that all correlation coefficients in staffing, infrastructural facilities, instructional materials and enrollment were positive, suggesting that a positive relationship existed between the variables and academic performance. Schools were understaffed, lacked enough infrastructural facilities and had congested classes. They lacked enough play fields and internet-connected ICT research centers and did not enroll quality students. The correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between enrollment aspects and academic performance. The study recommends that: the government should post more teachers to the young national schools and improve funding to the young national schools. Finally, the government, through the ministry of education, should devise a policy to ensure students enrolled to a particular school report without fail to avoid disadvantaging some schools, when allocated students transfer to other schools. Further study needs to be conducted in other counties to establish whether they face similar problems
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Degree of Master of Education (Educational Planning) in the School of Education of Kenyatta University, June, 2022
Keywords
Determinants, Students’, KCSE Examinations, Performance, Young National Schools, Samburu,, Marsabit, Isiolo Counties, Kenya