Physical Facility Availability and Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Trans Nzoia East Sub-County, Kenya

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.65

Authors

Keywords:

Academic Performance, Computer and Science Laboratories, Library Resources, Dormitories, Sanitation Facilities, Open Fields

Abstract

Education is essential for individual growth and national progress, but its success largely depends on the institutions that sustain it. Identifying how these institutional factors contribute to or hinder academic success is vital for overcoming challenges in the education sector and promoting academic achievement. This study seeks to examine how physical facility availability influences academic performance of learners in public secondary schools in Trans Nzoia East Sub-county, Kenya. The study set out to ascertain the following effects: the influence of science laboratories and computer laboratories in the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Kenya's Trans Nzoia East Sub-County; assess the influence of library resources on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Kenya's Trans Nzoia East Sub-County; to evaluate the effects of dormitories on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Kenya's Trans Nzoia East Sub-County; and the impact of sanitation facilities and open fields on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Kenya's Trans Nzoia East Sub-County. Based on the principle of the Education Production Function, the study was conducted utilized a mixed-methods, descriptive approach. The research targeted a population of 4574 persons consisting of 73 principals, 1,280 serving instructors and 3221 senior students in government secondary institutions. Participants were selected using random sampling to appoint the sample of  principals,  teachers and students. A sample of 354 individuals were identified using the Krejcie & Morgan table (1970) of choosing the appropriate number of  sample. The sample consisted of 6 principals, 99 serving teachers and 249 form four students. To collect data, the study used interviews, questionnaires, document analysis and observation. The instruments were piloted  in three public secondary schools in Trans Nzoia West  region. Validity testing was done by the researcher being assisted by professionals who expertise in various aspects of validy. In reliability, test-retest method was administered and determined by the Cronbach alpha coefficient of a 0.7 threshold. . The analysis of quantitative data employed descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, with the aid of SPSS version 26 while qualitative data were categorized into themes corresponding to the study’s key objectives. The key findings indicated a statistically significant association between  physical facilities and the academic performance of students. A Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship(0.968)between the availability of physical facilities and students’ academic performance indicating that students in schools with better facilities achieved higher scores academically. These results confirm that the presence of adequate physical facilities support better learning condition and hence improve students outcomes. It is recommended that educational policymakers invest in enhancing physical facilities to improve academic outcomes for students in public secondary schools.

Dimensions

Agbor, C. N., Onnoghen, U. N., Nwachukwu, P. O., & Esu, A. E. O. (2022). Influence of physical facilities on students' academic performance among undergraduate students of environmental education, University of Calabar-Nigeria. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 13(4), 31-41. https://doi.org/10.36941/mjss-2022-0029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36941/mjss-2022-0029

Ajayi, I. A., & Ayodele, J. B. (2001). Introduction to educational planning, administration and supervision. Ado-Ekiti: Yemi Prints and Publishing Services.

Akungu, J. A. (2014). Influence of teaching and learning resources on students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in free day secondary education in Embakasi district, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Ali, R. (2023). Effective classroom management techniques for secondary schools. African Research Review, 5, 282-291.

Baafi, R. (2020). School physical environment and student academic performance. Advances in Physical Education, 10, 121-137.

https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2020.102012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2020.102012

Bala, J. M. (2022). The increasing significance of class: The relative effects of race and socioeconomic status on academic achievement. Journal of Poverty, 6(2), 21-35. https://doi.org/10.1300/J134v06n02_02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J134v06n02_02

Bowles, S. (1970). Towards a theory of educational production. The School Review, 78(1), 1-22.

Braim, S., Qadir, N. M., & Ahmed, T. K. (2023). Effect of dormitory living on academic performance of students at University of Sulaimani.

Donnelly, J. E., Hillman, C. H., Greene, J. L., Hansen, D. M., Gibson, C. A., Sullivan, D. K., Poggio, J., Mayo, M. S., Lambourne, K., Szabo-Reed, A. N., Herrmann, S. D., Honas, J. J., Scudder, M. R., Betts, J. L., Henley, K., Hunt, S. L., & Washburn, R. A. (2017). Physical activity and academic achievement across the curriculum: Results from a 3-year cluster-randomized trial. Preventive Medicine, 99, 140-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.02.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.02.006

Dyrberg, N. R., Treusch, A. H., & Wiegand, C. (2017). Virtual laboratories in science education: Students' motivation and experiences in two tertiary biology courses. Journal of Biological Education, 51(4), 358-374. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2016.1257498 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2016.1257498

Hutton, G. (2014). 5 ways your school facilities impact student achievement. Texas Association of School Boards. https://www.tasb.org/members/enhance-district/school-facilities-student-achievement

Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308

Krishnaswami, O. R., & Ranganathan, M. (2001). Methodology of research in social sciences (2nd ed.). Himalaya Publishing House.

Luketero, S. W., & Kangangi, E. W. (2019). The factors influencing students' academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Kirinyaga Central sub-county, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. International Journal of Innovation Education and Research, 7(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol7.iss4.1143 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol7.iss4.1143

Man, A. (2019). Influence of teaching aids usage on students' academic performance in public secondary schools in Rwanda. Journal of Research and Method in Education, 10(4), 12-21.

McGowen, R. S. (2007). The impact of school facilities on student achievement, attendance, behavior, completion rate and teacher turnover rate in selected Texas high schools (Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University).

Mohammad, A., Mohammad, N., & Mumtaz, K. (2020). Status of physical facilities and students' achievement at public and PEF partner schools in Punjab, Pakistan. Global Political View.

Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (1999). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nairobi, Kenya: Acts Press.

Murungi, C. G., & Muthee, J. (2017). Relationship among intelligence, achievement motivation, type of school, and academic performance of Kenyan urban primary school pupils. Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology (4th ed.).

Mushtaq, I., & Khan, S. (2012). Factors affecting students' academic performance. Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 12(9), 1-7.

Neilson, C. A., & Zimmerman, S. D. (2014). The effect of school construction on test scores, school enrollment, and home prices. Journal of Urban Economics, 81(1), 104-117.

Orodho, A. (2005). Education and social science research methods. Musola Publishers.

Orodho, A. J., & Kombo, D. K. (2002). Research methods. Nairobi: Kenyatta University, Institute of Open and E-Learning.

Orodho, J. A. (2009). Techniques of writing research proposals and reports in education and social sciences. Nairobi: Kanezja Publishers.

Osowe, F. N. (2022). Influence of school environment on academic achievement of students of public secondary school in Enugu State [Unpublished MSc Thesis]. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Thorpe, A., Lukes, R., Bever, D. J., & He, Y. (2016). Undergraduate student success and library use: A multimethod approach. College & Research Libraries, 77(3), 331-351.

Tiruneh, S. T., Abegaz, B. A., Bekel, A. A., Adamu, Y. W., Kiros, M. D., & Woldeyes, D. H. (2020). Facility-related factors affecting academic performance of students in human anatomy. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 11, 729-734. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S269804 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S269804

Veena, G. A., & Kotari, P. N. (2016). User satisfaction with library resources, services and facilities: A study in SDM college library. Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services, 6(1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.51983/ijiss.2016.6.1.436 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51983/ijiss.2016.6.1.436

Warero, A. G. (2013). An assessment of sanitation facilities in public primary schools in Kajiado Central District (Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Nairobi, Kenya).

Yangambi, M. (2023). Impact of school infrastructures on students learning and performance: Case of three public schools in a developing country. Creative Education, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084388 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2023.144052

Published

2024-11-08

How to Cite

Magwaga, N. K., & Kikechi, R. W. (2024). Physical Facility Availability and Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Trans Nzoia East Sub-County, Kenya. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(4), 780–790. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.65