An Investigation of Factors that Influence Performance in KCSE Biology in Selected Secondary Schools in Nyakach District, Kisumu County, Kenya.

Abstract

This paper focuses on factors that influence the performance in KCSE Biology in selected secondary schools in Nyakach District, Kisumu County. This study was guided by the following objectives to find out the relationship between teacher characteristics and performance in Biology, to find out the relationship between teaching/learning resources and performance in KCSE Biology, to establish the relationship between motivation and performance in KCSE Biology and to find out the relationship between students attitudes towards KCSE Biology and performance in KCSE Biology.The study was significant as performance in K.C.S.E Biology has been poor over the years, hence need to find out causes.The study was guided by the systems theory advocated by Gagne and Briggs (1979). The research was conducted through descriptive survey design by quantitative and qualitative approach. The target population was seven hundred and thirty Form four students, eighteen Biology teachers, and fourteen Principals. Stratified random sampling was used to select schools, purposive sampling for selecting teachers and Principals, form four students were first stratified then selected through simple random sampling. Data wascollected using questionnaires for students, teachersand interview schedules for principals. Descriptive Statistics such as frequencies, percentages, correlation analysis, regression coefficient and coefficient of determination were used to analyze data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Programme (SPSS). The findings were, there was positive relationship between: teacher characteristics and performance, teaching / learning resources andperformance, motivation and performance, student’s attitude towards Biology and performance in KCSE Biology. The study recommended that, teachers should ensure that their students perform practicals frequently on their own; head teachers should ensure that sufficient instructional materials are availed in school, teachers should always introduce motivational variables in their teachings and Biology teachers should use teaching methodologies that will promote positive attitude towards Biology.