Performance in Chemistry: A case study of students in Kakamega North Sub County, Kakamega County-Kenya
Chemistry is one of the core science subjects offered in Secondary schools, in the current education system, in the Republic of Kenya. Chemistry is a STEM subject (Technology and Engineering). Kakamega North Sub County has been recording very good performance in other subjects, but very poor performance in Chemistry. To collect empirical data on the performance of chemistry in secondary schools this research as evolved. The conceptual frame work had independent and dependent variables. It conceptualized that the performance in chemistry depended on attitude, student teacher ratio and category of schools. Research design used was predictive. The research involved a population of 500.To ensure construct validity, short and straightforward close-ended questions were used. To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire, test retest method was used. The process of data analysis involved editing, coding and data entry into a computerized system for analysis. Qualitative data was grouped into themes corresponding with the study objectives. Data was presented in tables, frequencies and percentages. Average academic achievement in the Subject was due to an interaction of various factors as was postulated under the conceptual framework in chapter one of the project report. It was found that majority of candidates in secondary schools in Kakamega north prefer Chemistry to other science subjects, as was evidenced by 60.0%, however, the performance in the subject was not satisfactory. It was recommended that; Principals should give priority to teaching and learning resources: Proper lighting at home, using at least a lantern that doesn’t interfere much with the health of the students was also another area recommended by this study.
Keywords: Chemistry, Science, Secondary School, Students, Teaching.
Abbreviation: KCSE- Kenya certificate of secondary education; TSC- teachers service commission; TPAD- Teachers’ performance and appraisal development tool; CAT- Continuous Assessment test.
