Ngutiku, Gladys Karoki2016-11-102016-11-102016-07http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/15163A Research Project Submitted to the School of Education in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Award of a Masters Degree in Educational Administration of Kenyatta University July 2016The growth and development of all nations show that the goals and values of co-curricular activities has always been part and parcel of development. People participate in various sports activities for a number of reasons including recreation, health, economic and intrinsic pleasures. Despite the efforts of the Ministry of Education to finance the co-curricular activities for secondary schools, there is still little participation in them. Thus, there was need to study the factors influencing participation of students in co-curricular activities in Kibirichia Division, Buuri Sub- County, Meru county, Kenya. This study used a descriptive survey design. Target population consisted of 520 students, 120 teachers and 9 principals from all schools in Kibirichia Division. The actual study was carried out in 8 selected schools out of the 9 schools in the division and the sample population consisted of 320 students of single stream classes of 40 students in 8 schools. All the thirty teachers involved in co-curricular activities and 8 principals were used as respondents. Purposive sampling was used to select the schools. The students from the selected schools were then sampled using simple random sampling technique. Teachers and principals were purposively sampled. Pilot study was conducted in one of the 9 schools to check the reliability of the instruments. Test retest method was used to measure the reliability of the research instruments. Validity of the instruments was established through consulting the supervisors. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer package was used for data analysis. The study established that a majority of principals noted that availability of equipment enhanced students' participation in eo-curricular activities to a little extent while a majority of students noted that availability of trainers enhanced their participation to a great extent. More than half of the principals, teachers and students were of the view that co-curricular activities have a positive effect on mental growth. Majority of students and teachers were of the view that co-curricular activities were tiring and boring. It was concluded that students mainly participate in games, clubs and athletics related co-curricular with minimal participation in drama related co-curricular activities. It was also concluded that availability of facilities, equipment, finances, time and trainers enhances students' participation in co-curricular activities. The study further concluded that participation in co-curricular activities has positive effect on physical and mental growth and is a means of gaining economically and accruing power and prestige. Finally, it was concluded that lack of facilities, equipment, finances, time, trainers and interest may limit student participation in co-curricular activities. The study recommended that the ministry of education should provide more finances, training and sensitization of stakeholders on the importance of co-curricular activities.enThesis