SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF PARENTS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN BIOlOGY SUBJECT OF KOIMBE SECONDARY SCHOOl IN MURANGA DISTRICT KENYA

ABSTRACT

This is a case study of Kiombe Secondary school located in Mulanga in the Central

province of Kenya. It attempted to find out the factors that contribute to the poor

performance among students of Kiombe secondary school in K.C.S.E Biology

examinations.

Some of the issues investigated included the attitude of students towards biology,

attitude of teachers towards biology, use and availability of resources (books,

teachers, laboratories, library etc) the teachers' qualification and experience and the

role of school administration.

Orientation of biology as a subject for future careers, and the students participation

in the science congress.

The researcher did a case study of Kiombe secondary school with form 3 and form 4

boys and girls and teachers in the school. The research instruments used in the

study composed of teachers and students questionnaires and interview schedules

conducted on the principal. Deputy Principal and the Head of science department as

well as observation schedule around the school.

Sampling was done to select eight (80) students of both form 3 and 4 in which 40

boys and 40 girls were selected at random and they formed a student sample. The

two biology teachers formed the teachers' sample. The administrative sample was

composed of the principal, Deputy principal and the Head of Science Department.

The data was then collected and analyzed through descriptive analysis method using

percentages in tabulated manner. The following observations were made:

• The teachers have a positive attitude towards the subject while students have

a negative attitude towards the same.

• Students do not make use of the textbooks available