scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NYAMAIYA DIVISION, NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA

Author(s):  
Jane Nyanchama Nyakoe

Despite the critical objective of government funding in education, and guaranteeing that all school going children access quality education, recent literature indicates that a good number of them stay away from school. The purpose of this research was to examine the role of economic investments on academic achievement of public secondary schools in Nyamaiya Division, Nyamira County, Kenya. This research study was directed by the listed objective: to establish the influence of government funding on academic achievement of public secondary schools in Nyamaiya division, Nyamira County. The study employed the Human capital theory. The research employed a survey research design which adopted a mixed methodology since it had both quantitative and qualitative aspects. The research employed concurrent triangulation approach. The study targeted 18 principals, 153 class teachers, 3470 students and 1 education support officer. The sample size constituted of 4 principals, 30 class teachers, 347 students and one curriculum support officer a total of 382 respondents. Purposive sampling was used to sample principals and curriculum support officer while random sampling was used to sample class teachers and student. Questionnaires were used to obtain information from students and class teachers while interview guide were used on principals and curriculum support officer. Piloting was conducted in the neighboring Nyamira division on 10% of the sample size. Test-retest technique was used to test reliability. Qualitative data was analysed thematically along the objectives and quantitative data using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS 21). The quantitative findings of the study were presented using frequency tables, percentages and inferential statistics using correlation whereas qualitative findings were presented thematically and in narration forms. From the analysis, it was noted that; government and donor funds have enabled school infrastructures to be put in place together with some teaching and learning equipment. Agricultural and entrepreneurial activities have enabled parents to raise school fees and supplement on other learning equipments. Improved infrastructure, availability of teaching and learning materials impacts positively on learners’ academic achievement. The study recommends the government to support public secondary schools fully.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 82-101
Author(s):  
Nsengumuremyi Didace ◽  
◽  
Dr. Hesbon Opiyo Andala ◽  

The effective usage of instructional materials plays a significant role in promotion of teaching and learning outcomes. The usage of relevant material stimulates students to become more attentive and motivated in classroom setting. The purpose of this study was therefore to find out the relationship between instructional materials and learning outcomes. The study employed correlation research design. The target population was 621 respondents out of which 244 were used as the sample size. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in the study to obtain the sample size. Questionnaire, interview guide and desk review was used data collection instruments. SPSS was used in data management. The findings revealed that visual aids are used at moderate level at which 49.9% strongly agreed that instructional materials used are pre-determined 47.2% strongly agreed that teaching methods are well prescribed in the lesson planning. The study indicated that a big number of students got the grades lying in division IV and Division U (Unclassified). The study found that 81% of the respondents agreed that students participated in history lesson and 70.0% agreed that students understood history. Results also revealed that holding instructional material usage constant to a constant zero, attendance from Monday to Friday would be at .116 for lesson plan. An increase in instructional material usage stimulates adequate ratio by a factor of 0.11 standardized significance at learning process. The study recommended that the government should allocate sufficient budget that would be given to ameliorate libraries in secondary schools and laboratories. The government should find resource centers to facilitate teaching staff borrow instructional materials which cannot not available in secondary schools. Further, the government should conduct workshops, conferences and meeting to stimulate their skills on using instructional materials. School principals should follow up their teaching staff to be sure with the availability of instructional materials are effectively applied. The community should encourage parental involvement in providing instructional material usage in secondary schools in order to enhance learning outcomes. Keywords: Instructional materials, Teaching and learning outcomes and usage of instructional materials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Godlove Lawrent

The rapid increase in Tanzanian primary school enrolments in the last decade was prompted by the government to develop the Secondary Education Expansion Policy. My study, therefore, explored the impact of this policy on teachers’ professional lives. A qualitative approach was adopted to gain detailed insights into the phenomena under investigation. Data were collected from 30 participant teachers from four community secondary schools in Tanzania through interviews and document analysis. Overall the findings revealed that the government’s shortcomings in hiring support staff prompted teachers to perform extra duties alongside teaching. It also found that the lack of the government’s commitment to rewarding teaching quality exacerbated teachers’ engagement in other income-generating activities. Teachers’ engagement in these non-teaching tasks both in school and out of school affected their own professional identities which subsequently impacted on their teaching competence beliefs. These findings recommend that in order to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, the government of Tanzania must improve teachers’ welfare by employing enough support staff to assist in teaching and learning.


2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 170-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rekai Zenda

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore teaching methods that can allow learners to be creative and proactive. The learners should be able to solve problems, make decisions, think critically, communicate ideas effectively and work efficiently. Teaching and learning are evolving and developing in many countries, with a focus concerning what is actually learned through effective teaching methods. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research was carried out, identifying effective teaching methods and exploring their roles in teaching and learning in physical sciences in selected rural secondary schools. Face-to-face interviews with physical sciences teachers, school principals and curriculum advisers were used to collect data. Findings A range of teaching methods that may be integrated into teaching and learning activities is identified. The teaching methods ensure that topics are discussed and explored through interaction and sharing of perspective, views and values through which new learning can emerge. Viewed from this perspective, there is a need to create a stimulating, enriching, challenging and focused environment for physical sciences learners through the use of multiple teaching methodologies. Research limitations/implications The improvement of science learner’s academic achievement requires also the teachers to develop new skills and ways of teaching the subject. Improving learner academic achievement in physical sciences requires an approach to improve the skills of teachers as well, which focuses on the effective use of teaching methods such as experiments. This means attempting to change the attitude of teachers to regard the processes of teaching and learning as central to their role. In addition, the achievement of learners in science could possibly solve the problem of shortages of engineers, skilled artisans, technicians, doctors and technologists for sustainable development. It is important to create conducive conditions for learning and teaching in physical sciences, and continue to progressively and within available resources, realise that collaboration, problem-solving and hands-on activities are effective teaching methods to improve learner academic achievement. Practical implications The learners should be able to solve problems, make decisions, think critically, communicate ideas effectively and work efficiently. The study is limited to the teaching methods used in physical sciences. Hands-on activities are essential in science teaching and learning. Social implications The use of collaborations, peer teachings and hands-on activities allows learners emphasise the creation of a classroom where students are engaged in essentially open-ended, student-centred and hands-on experiments. Originality/value The paper is original work, in which face-to-face interviews were carried out. Qualitative research was carried out. The paper could assist educators in the teaching of physical sciences in secondary schools using the identified methods. The results were obtained from physical sciences educators, school principals and curriculum advisors in South Africa. Poor academic achievement in rural areas is a concern, and therefore, the paper provides effective methods which can be used by educators in the teaching of physical sciences in rural areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 154-158
Author(s):  
Murana Muniru Oladayo

The strategic place of English language in national development and mutual co-existence of Nigerians is not debatable. English has become a foreign national language to which the destiny of Nigeria is inextricably tied. The teaching of English at all levels of education in Nigeria is bedeviled with certain debilitating challenges. This paper examines some of the challenges of teaching and learning English in public secondary schools in Nigeria. It identifies such problems as poor quality of pupils admitted to secondary school, incompetent teachers of English, poor methodology and lack of motivation among others. The paper concludes that effective teaching of English language is a sine qua non for meaningful development in Nigeria and emphasizes the need for collective efforts in this direction. It recommends better training and retraining of teachers through continuing professional development practices and better commitment on the part of the government to the course of English studies in schools in Nigeria.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 286-303
Author(s):  
Johannes Koech; Dr. Betty J. Tikoko; Prof. Frederick B. J.A. Ngala

This study attempted to examine the relationship between economic factors and gender disparity in enrolment of students in mixed public day secondary schools in Kericho County, Kenya. Social Demand Theory guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted 124 public mixed day secondary schools. The target population consisted of 124 principals and 9,418 students. Sampling techniques applied included purposive and systematic random sampling techniques. A sample size of the principals was determined by applying Kerlinger (1986) 30% rule, whereas for the students Cochran formula was used. The sample size consisted of 38 principals and 384 students.  Data for the study was collected by the use of questionnaires. The study revealed that there exists a statistically significant relationship between Economic Factors and Gender Disparity (r=0.768; p<0.05). From the findings, in connection with economic factors, it was established that child labour had the highest mean of 3.21 and therefore was the major factor related to gender disparity in enrollment. This was followed by parents' reluctance to pay fees due to the false notion of free education with a mean of 3.10. The study concluded that the government, through quality assurance and standards officers alongside local administration, should ensure that policies on child labour are well implemented. That child labour is not practised so that all school age going children irrespective of their gender attend school uninterrupted.


2020 ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Isaac Sonful Coffie ◽  
Bans Bandoh Frempong ◽  
Eric Appiah

Aim: Considering the technological age that we find ourselves in this 21st century, it would be expected that, the number of students willing to study physics will increase exponentially. However, reports indicate a sharp reduction of students in physics classrooms. This study therefore sought to identify the challenges and way forward for improving physics teaching and learning in Senior High Schools in Ghana. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey was used for the study. Methodology: The main instrument used for the study was questionnaire. The sample size for the study comprised both physics teachers and students. The sample size for the teachers was made up of 38 teachers which comprised 34 males and 4 females who were selected using the convenient sampling approach. The sample size for the students consisted of 750 students selected by stratified sampling of which 520 were males and 230 were females. Results: While the teachers perceived the most important factor affecting the teaching and learning of physics to be students-related problem, the students on the other hand perceived the major challenge affecting the teaching and learning of physics to be teacher-related. For both teachers and students, provision of adequate resources like well-equipped laboratories for teaching and learning is an assured way of improving the teaching and learning of physics in senior high schools in Ghana. Conclusions: The challenges in teaching physics as perceived by both teachers and students are teacher related, student-related and resource-constraints It was recommended that the government must make conscious effort to provide the schools with adequate science resources to facilitate the practical approach to teaching and learning of physics.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
pp. 139-152
Author(s):  
Fredrick Odhiambo ◽  
Dr. Nixon Omoro

This paper sought to determine economic factors that influence access to secondary educational opportunities in Narok County, Kenya and to suggest strategies to help raise the transition rates of learners from primary to secondary schools. The study employed descriptive survey research design involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Study participants comprised head teachers, teachers and students in both primary and secondary schools. Stratified sampling technique was used to select twenty-four (24) primary school head teachers, forty-eight (48) primary school teachers and eight (8) secondary school principals. A total of 68 class eight pupils and 44 form one students were selected using simple random sampling from the sampled schools. Data were collected using questionnaires and an interview schedule. Pilot testing was done with questionnaires to test reliability and validity. To obtain the reliability the test-retest method was employed. Pearson Product Moment was employed to compute the correlation coefficient. A correlation co-efficient of 0.77 was obtained. Qualitative data were analysed inductively through content analysis while SPSS was used to analyse quantitative data. Results were presented in form of tables, figures, frequencies and percentages. It was established that household poverty and opportunity costs of education have influences on completion rates and lead to dropouts from basic schooling. The study recommends the need for the government and private sector employing a long term strategy in expanding secondary education in Kenya. This could include poverty mitigation and reduction in cost of secondary schooling and improvement of basic infrastructure, improvement of the quality of education in the country in order to reduce the opportunity costs and also through provision of more subsidies to improve the level of enrollment in basic education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1 (19)) ◽  
pp. 101-120
Author(s):  
Yusuf Laro Ibrahim ◽  
Yunus Adebunmi Fasasi ◽  
Mustapha Adam Ishola ◽  
Yusuf Suleiman

Public secondary schools in Nigeria occupy a significant position for providing qualitative education, yet there has been increasing public discontent with the quality of students being produced in the country’s public secondary schools. Teachers are regarded as one of the resources necessary for achieving the goals of secondary education. It is against this backdrop that this study examined teachers’ collective efficacy as a predictor of students’ academic performance in North Central Nigeria. Three research questions and hypotheses were generated to guide the study, which made use of a correlation-type descriptive research design with a population consisting of all teachers in the North Central region. An instrument titled the Teachers’ Collective Efficacy Questionnaire (TCEQ) was developed to elicit pertinent data from the participants. Also, students’ academic achievement was measured. The results of the study revealed that no substantial nexus existed between the teachers’ experience and the students’ academic achievement. However, the teachers’ verbal encouragement was found to be an important predictor of the learners’ academic success. Similarly, the teachers’ academic emphasis was a significant predictor of the learners’ academic performance. Based on this, it was established that teachers’ collective efficacy is an important predictor that can be used to improve students’ academic achievement. The study recommended that education administrators should acquaint their staff with the importance of collective efficacy towards improving students’ academic performance. It was also recommended that the government should organize workshops, seminars, and conferences for the supervisors, principals, and teachers of schools on efficacy issues and that teachers should be well motivated to maintain a high degree of efficacy in their various schools.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-158
Author(s):  
F. Faisal ◽  
G. M. Gi ◽  
S. N. Martin

Government funding has the potential to increase research on particular topics that represent an integral focus of governmental policy. The reason is that researchers who seek funding from government sources need to target specific calls for research on topics that the government has identified as necessary for society. Analysis of funding trends can raise awareness about what topics are receiving adequate attention and can demonstrate how funding schemes may serve to limit (intentionally and unintentionally) researchers’ authority to design and manage projects and disseminate findings that are not financially supported by government funding agencies. In this study, we used a content analysis approach to analyze all projects awarded to the top five public teacher education institutions (TEIs) in Indonesia from 2014-2018. From the research project list from the five TEIs, we identified 225 science education projects for the sample of analysis. We extracted all keywords (nouns and adjectives) from the research project titles and grouped all extracted keywords into four categories: research topic, research subject or context, research product and outcomes, and content target. From the analysis, we offer some educational context for why scientific literacy and character and values education have emerged as such prominent topics in Indonesia, and we highlight the importance of greater involvement of teachers in research projects, the significance of research outcomes for improving science teaching and learning in schools, and the need to promote research on pedagogical coursework.


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