Orwari, Anna Moraa2026-02-052026-02-052025-12https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32284A Research Project Submitted For the Degree of Master of Education (Guidance and Counselling) in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning of Kenyatta University supervisor James OluochIndustrial and technological development in any nation can only be attained by focusing on formal schooling and dispelling dismal academic achievement particularly in sciences. However, that has not been the case across the globe as studies have shown growing concern over consistent Chemistry academic underachievement yet Chemistry is a very critical discipline in the field of science. One of the national goals of education in Kenya is to support the industrial, technological, and socioeconomic advancements demands of the country. Unfortunately, Chemistry academic achievement has persistently remained low over the years, a scenario that has raised great concern among stakeholders as that may contribute to derailment in attaining the national goals. However, in the national examinations, Chemistry results still indicate a worrying downward trend. This study, therefore, aimed at finding out how psychosocial support and educational aspirations correlate to Chemistry academic achievement among Form Three students in public secondary schools in Narok North Sub-County, Narok County, Kenya. The research objectives included: establishing the correlation between psychosocial support and Chemistry academic achievement, finding out the correlation between educational aspirations and Chemistry academic achievement, establishing the gender differences in psychosocial support and educational aspirations on Chemistry academic achievement, and finding out the predictive weight between psychosocial support and educational aspirations on Chemistry academic achievement among Form Three students in Narok North Sub-county. The study was anchored on Ecological Systems Theory of Human Development and Aspiration Theory. This study also employed correlational research design to obtain quantitative data and targeted a population of all the 294 Form 3 students from 24 public schools in the Sub-County. Purposive, Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed to obtain a sample size of 294 respondents using Yamane Formula. Data was also collected using Psychosocial Support and Educational Aspirations structured scales. Chemistry end of term one 2024 examination results accompanied the questionnaires filled by the participants. Piloting was done to determine reliability and validity of the research instruments and involved 30 students in two schools. In addition, Cronbach´s Alpha was employed to establish reliability of the research instruments. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to conduct data analysis. Findings from the study indicate a negative and significant relationship between psychosocial support and Chemistry achievement r (294) =-.125, p <.05. Concerning educational aspirations, results established a non-significant correlation between educational aspirations and Chemistry achievement r (294) =-.112, p>.05. In establishing the gender variations in psychosocial support and educational aspirations on Chemistry achievement, the study found that psychosocial support and educational aspirations predicted Chemistry achievement greatly in male students than female students. Further in predicting the correlation between psychosocial support and educational aspirations on chemistry achievement, regression equation revealed that academic achievement was greatly predicted by communication dimension of psychosocial support and student motivation dimension of educational aspirations. From the findings of the research, it was highly suggested that parents and teachers should get involved in activities that can reinforce high psychosocial support and sustain high motivation among students. Further research was recommended in exploring ways to maintain high psychosocial support and sustaining students’ motivation to ensure higher achievement among students.enThesis