Factors affecting performance in Christian Religious Education in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Igembe South District.

Abstract

In a world plagued with performance contracts both in public and private sectors performance for teachers is quite relevant, if they will have to retain their jobs. Due to much competition in the job markets, it is also quite important for students to perform well in their national exams in various subjects. This research work aimed at investigating various factors that affect performance in Christian Religious Education (CRE) in Kenya Certificate Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in Igembe South District. CRE being one of the elective subjects, it requires proper investigation to ensure students perform well in the subjects so that they can continue choosing it, since there is an option of choosing either history or geography in form three. The objective of the study was to .find out whether time allocated for CRE lessons is enough owing to the broad content. The study sought to find out number of trained teachers in schools, the teaching and learning resources in schools and effects of motivation on how they affect performance in CRE in KCSE. The study was carried out in ten secondary schools in Igembe South District. In the ten schools, questionnaires to CRE teachers, school administrators and students of selected classes. The researcher interviewed form two and three students of these schools. The researcher had a target population of 5000 students and he managed to reach a size of 1000 students. The target population of CRE teachers was 40 and the researcher was able to reach a sample size of 20. While the target population for principals was 15 and the researcher was able to reach sample size of 10. The researcher used questionnaires as the main instrument for data collection. The responses were then collected and analyzed and data was compiled in tables, graphs and pie charts. General findings of the study were that human and material resources are factors affecting student's performance in CRE as well as time allocated for CRE per week, while motivation of students does not affect student's performance in CRE. This study recommends that more CRE teachers should be trained and posted in schools. The Ministry of Education should diversify their teaching methods and also motivate learners in various ways.