Drug Abuse and Academic Performance of Learners in Kaplamai Division, Trans-Nzoia East District- Kenya

ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of drug abuse on academic performance of learners. The general objectives of the study were to investigate the causes of drug abuse and its impact on academic performance of learners. The study took a quantitative approach to collect and interpret the data. The study also employed a descriptive survey design to carry out the study and used a questionnaire as a tool to collect data. The population targeted was primary school teachers and ECD teachers who were sampled using the simple random sampling to get the teachers who would fill the questionnaire. These teachers were used to investigate the effects of drugs abuse to learning in ECD centres and lower primary school. After the researcher has analyzed the questionnaire, it was established that there is drug abuse in the division. It was also found out that the most commonly abused drug is alcohol. It is also evident that drug abuse has negative effects to learning for instance leamers who indulge in drug abuse have low academic achievements and indiscipline cases. The researcher recommends that trained personnel handles cases of drug abuse to stop its effects on learning and be done through guiding and counseling.