Factors influencing C.R.E performance in the church sponsored and public secondary schools: A case study of Ogendo Division Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

Christian Religious Education (CRE) is an academic subject in the school curriculum oncemed with religion. It traces its origin to the coming of the European missionaries. It is or instruction in various aspects of religion. According to Archbishop Dr. John Sentamu, _012), he acknowledges that CRE is important because it forms and creates a culture. In that respect, this survey study was carried out to evaluate its performance between church sponsored and public secondary schools in Ogembo division. The study was carried out with the main purpose of establishing the factors influencing performance in secondary schools in Ogembo Division. The objectives of the study were to identify factors influencing good performance of CRE in secondary schools in Ogembo Division, to establish the challenges which students of CRE encounter in Ogembo division, to establish the role of stake holders in the performance of CRE in church sponsored and public secondary schools in Ogembo division. The schools and respondents were selected using stratified and convenience sampling procedures. The target population used was 165 respondents. That included students, teachers and personnel involved in secondary school education in relation to CRE curriculum. Due to the need to achieve feasibility, the target population was reduced to a sample size by use of quota sampling and statistical sampling techniques under the influence of Morgan Table. The sample size used was 13 7 respondents of the target population. The sample of respondents were prepared through prior notice before collecting data. Piloting was done to test the questionnaires before collecting data. Data was collected by use of questionnaires of a primary level and interviews. Data was processed through editing, classification and categorization to make it possible for analysis. The data processed was analyzed by use of descriptive statistical models as well as calculating frequent percentages. The statistical package Social Sciences (SPSS Version 18), a computerized system for data analysis was used to analyze the data for the study. The study found out that the performance of CRE in both church sponsored and public secondary schools in Ogembo division were effective in ensuring timely access to learning resources, teachers and administration as well as students themselves having knowledge from the churches they attend. The study concluded that parents, teachers and students should be up held as they have ensured increased probability of accessing learning materials, trained staff etc, The study-recommends that the provision of learning materials and parents involvement considers as the key improvement which leads to better performance.