Factors Influencing Students Performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Public Day Mixed Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub County, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The study was carried out in order to assess factors which influence students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub county Meru County. The objectives of the research was: to establish parents' Socio economic factors which influence students KCSE performance in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub county Meru County, to determine the  influence of students discipline on KCSE performance in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub county Meru County, to determine the extent to which drug and substance abuse influence performance among students in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub county Meru County, to examine influence of students gender on students' performance in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub county Meru County. Stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. The sample consisted of 15 principals, 10 deputy principals, 15 Head of Science Department, 5 guidance and counseling teachers and 150 form four students. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules and was analyzed using descriptive statistics; multiple correlation coefficient of 0.804 was obtained. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyze the data. It was established that absenteeism and poor time management always occur. Moreover, it was established that failure to finish assignments sometimes occurs while poor concentration in class and early pregnancies rarely occur. Moreover, it was found that drugs, peer group influence, maladministration and mass media highly contribute to student indiscipline. It was concluded that parents' socioeconomic factors, students discipline, drug and substance abuse and student's gender influence students' KCSE performance in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub County significantly. Parents should be able to pay fees, must participate fully on academics performance of the children, avoid taking alcohol and drugs when at home, to get full family set ups, be good models and improve parental income. It is therefore recommended that, schools should endeavour to offer guidance and counseling to students with disruptive behavior as well as enforce strict punishment for misbehaviour and equip students with essential facilities for better examination results. The study made recommendations on factors which influence KCSE performance in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Imenti Central Sub County Meru County. The findings of this study is of great importance to Heads of schools and administrators since it will help them to know factors influencing students KCSE performance in Public Mixed day secondary schools and provide the necessary measures to correct the situation where applicable. In addition, the findings may be used by other researchers who would be interested in conducting a similar study. Further study should be carried out on the involvement of teachers and parents in curbing drug and substance abuse and student perception on strategies used by school management.