Determinants of Students’ Academic Performance in Mathematics in Selected Secondary Schools in Nyamira South District of Kenya

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to establish the Determinants of Students’ Academic Performance in Mathematics in Selected Secondary Schools in Nyamira South District of Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine if discipline affects the students’ academic performance in Mathematics in selected secondary schools of Nyamira South District, to determine if teachers’ qualification and experience affect students’ academic performance in mathematics in selected secondary schools in Nyamira South District; and to determine if school facilities affect the students’ academic performance in mathematics in selected secondary schools in Nyamira South District. The methods used for data collection were questionnaires and interview guides to students, teachers and head teachers of the secondary schools involved in the study. In chapter four, presentation analysis and interpretation of data was done in relation to the study objectives and research questions. This study found out that 36.4% of the mathematics teachers were graduates, 59.7% were diploma holders and 3.9% were untrained. 34.6w/a of the teachers and students responded that facilities were adequate and 65.4% commented that facilities were inadequate. Based on these findings it was observed that teachers’ qualifications and experience, discipline of students; and school facilities have a direct impact on the students’ academic performance in Mathematics. In chapter five, findings, conclusions and recommendations were attempted. The researcher suggested recommendations that the Government should provide more teaching - learning facilities in schools to make the learning-teaching environment more attractive to students and teachers and that some of the schools should be made partly day and partly boarding to cater for students who come from far and can afford boarding fees. This could reduce on late coming, dodging lessons and escaping from school among other recommendations.