PUPIL ABSENTEEISM AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT

MWIRERI PRIMARY SCHOOL, SUBUKIA SUB COUNTY

PRESENTED BY

ELIZABETH WANJIRU MWAURA

TSC NO.495353

ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT

PRESENTED TO KENYA EDUCATION MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

(KEMI) IN FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DIPLOMA IN

EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.

JANUARY 2024
DECLARATION

I declare that this report is my original work and has not been submitted to any other universityor
institution for any academic award.

ELIZABETH WANJIRU MWAURA

Sign …………………………….. Date ………………..

This Action Research Report has been submitted with my approval as the supervisor.

Name......................................................................................................................................

Sign …………………………….. Date ………………..

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I thank the Almighty God for the opportunity, knowledge and strength to
pursue Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management. Secondly, I extend my gratitude to
the Kenya Education Management Institute administration for offering me the chance to pursue
the programme. I wish also to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, who have been
there standing tall for me throughout the study, offering their very valuable guidance and
support. I am exceptionally grateful for the assistance I received from my loving family,
relatives, colleagues at Mwireri primary school and friends, you cannot be left out for standing
with me during the study period.

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this project to all my family members for their love, support, and encouragement
when the challenges seemed endless and for always reminding me to complete my studies,
and for their endless patience.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents
DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .............................................................................................................. ii

DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iii

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... v

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1

Location: ......................................................................................................................................... 1

Section 4: Measurement Results ..................................................................................................... 1

Section 5: Current situation ............................................................................................................ 2

Section 6: Obstacles and their roots cause ...................................................................................... 2

PART 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 3

PART II ........................................................................................................................................... 3

Section 7: Challenge statement ....................................................................................................... 4

Section 8: Priority actions ............................................................................................................... 4

Section 9: Action Plan Work Sheet ................................................................................................ 5

SECTION 10: ACTION PLAN ...................................................................................................... 7

Section 11: Monitoring and Evaluation plan .................................................................................. 8

Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................... 9

Recommendation .......................................................................................................................... 10

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 11

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ABSTRACT
Pupils’ class attendance in school and its effect on academic performance is a matter of concern
to all stakeholders in education. This is because pupils who absent themselves from schools for
one reason or another end up not achieving their maximum potential. The purpose of this study
was to the effect of regular class attendance on academic performance in Kenya Certificate of
Primary Education at Mwireri primary school in Nakuru County Subukia Sub-County.

Student’s absenteeism is a challenge in most of our schools in this country. It tends to reduce the
quality of education and results in poor performance of learners and the school at large. The
purpose of this study was to assess the factors that causes absenteeism among class 8 pupils in
Mwireri Primary. Pupils’ class attendance in school and its effect on academic performance is a
matter of concern to all stakeholders in education. This is because pupils who absent themselves
from schools for one reason or another end up not achieving their maximum potential. The
purpose of this study was to the effect of regular class attendance on academic performance in
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education at Mwireri primary school in Nakuru County Subukia
Sub-County.

Questionnaires were used to collect data from Head teacher and subject teachers while interview
schedule was administered to the Sub county Education Officer. In addition, document analysis
was undertaken with the target documents being the class attendance registers and KCPE
performance. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to collect and analyze the
data. Quantitative data was carefully analyzed while qualitative data was analyzed thematically
by closely examining the qualitative data in order to identify common themes, ideas and patterns
of meaning that came up repeatedly. The results from data analysis are presented using
frequency tables, means, and percentages. The study established that pupils in the county attend
class occasionally. It further revealed that class attendance among the pupils is sporadic and
irregular. Further, there was a general consensus among the respondents that regular attendance
of class resulted in graduating competent pupils and these pupils eventually perform well in their
terminal examination and thus regular attendance was an indicator of positive academic
achievement.

The study concluded that absenteeism negatively affects quality of education that children

receives in this grade, hence strategies to curb absenteeism should be intergrated into the school

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management styles and should include adoption of transformational leadership behavior and

capacity building targeting managers in academic institutions. The study recommends that there

is need for increased parental involvement in their children’s education in order to address the

problem of nonattendance.

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INTRODUCTION
Mwireri Primary School is a public mixed-day primary school that was establish in the year 1965

to offer quality basic education to learners. It was founded by the community that lives within

the villages around the school registered as a public institution by the government of Kenya. The

school is sponsored by the Salvation Army Church learners population is 255. The number of

Boys as 150 and that of Girls is 105.

The school has one stream, there is a permanent staffroom, a kitchen and a play field.

Location:
The school is located 3km North of Subukia town along Nakuru-Nyahururu road, Subukia

Constituency, Subukia sub-county, Nakuru County. It shares the same compound with the newly

established Mwireri Secondary School. The school stands on a 14 acre piece of land donated to it

by the local community.

Section 1: Motto - Let’s brighten our future

Section 2: Mission – To be a centre of excellence through provision of quality education.

Section 3: Vision – To efficiently and effectively nature students academically and co-

curriculum potential within a conducive environment whose pillars are discipline, and spiritual

endowment.

Section 4: Measurement Results

The school leadership styles will reduce the students absenteeism to less than 5% per day in the

next two terms.

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Section 5: Current situation
The school as for quite some time being struggling with the problem of students absenteeism, a

fact that is supported by school records, the class registers. The school class registers in the

institution indicates a high rate of students absenteeism of up to 16 students (10.1%) per day who

were unable to attend classes every day out of a population of 255 students. The quality of

learning by this group of students who are absent is affected as a result of loss of contact hours

with the teacher.

Section 6: Obstacles and their roots cause

The staff members did oral interview to a number of students as to why they are frequently

absent from school. The major cause of absenteeism were stated as:-

1. Lack of teachers follow up

2. Lack of parental involvement

3. Sickness

4. Don’t care attitude of students

5. Assisting to work at home

6. Taking care of their siblings

7. Lack of food

8. Domestic violence

Learners were also asked to fill this questionnaire on school leadership style and absenteeism in

order to facilitate the determination of whether there is a correlation between these parameters.

They were also informed that the information provided in the survey research will be treated

with confidentiality.

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PART 1
The statement below relates to absenteeism, please respond to the statement with a tick ( ) as it

applies

1. Have you been absent from this school since you joined? Yes( ) No ( )

2. If yes, please rate your frequency of absenteeism. Very often ( ) Often ( ) Not certain ( )

Rate very rare ( )

3. Have you had any disciplinary case due to absenteeism in this school? Yes ( ) No ( )

4. Is there a problem of learner absenteeism at your grade? Yes ( ) No ( )

5. What is your current status on the issue of students absenteeism?

Very serious ( ) Serious ( ) No current ( ) No series classified

PART II
The statement below relates to school leadership please respond to the statement with a tick ( )

as it appropriate.

1. Is the school administration concern of learners absenteeism? Yes ( ) No ( )

2. How often does the class teacher give guidance and counseling on absenteeism. Very

often ( ) Often ( ) Not certain ( ) Rate ( ) very rare ( )

3. Does the school management source for financial assistance to the needy students? Yes (

) No ( )

4. Does the school administration call for meeting with parents to address the issue of

absenteeism of students? Yes ( ) No ( )

5. Do the parents/guardian care about your education? Yes ( ) No ( )

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Section 7: Challenge statement
Mwireri Primary School management will overcome students absenteeism to less than 5% by

improving leadership style in the institution.

Section 8: Priority actions

 Capacity Building of the school principal and teachers

 Sensitized learners on the importance of full attendance of lessons

 Have a meeting with parents/guardians to sensitize them on the need of providing for the

basic needs for their children.

 The stakeholders to organize for a fund raising for the needy students

 The school to allace with the nearby health centre to assist sick learners

The school administration to come up with an action plan to reduce learners absenteeism in

school, it should be prioritized and achieved by the end of the year 2023. The school

administration, BOM, PA and partners to initiate ways in which food and other required

resources can be mobilized to assist to increase student contact hours in school.

1. Internal quality assurance standards officer. This office deals with recommended

standards of teaching and guiding of learners in school. Along with other heads of

departments they should report achievements and challenges to the school administration

every fortnight.

2. Teacher appraisal the school management to create opportunities for teacher appraisal in

order to boost the morale of teachers especially those who are hardworking as indicated

by posting of goods results in examinations.

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Section 9: Action Plan Work Sheet
Mission – To be a centre of excellence through provision of quality education

Vision – To efficiently and effectively nature students academically and co-curriculum potential

within a conducive environment whose pillars are discipline and spiritual endowment

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Challenges statement Current situation Measurable results

Mwireri Primary School The school class registers in The school leadership styles

management will overcome the institution indicates a high will reduce the students

students absenteeism to less rate of students absenteeism of absenteeism to less than 5%

than 5% by improving up to 16 students (10.1%) per per day in the next two terms.

leadership style in the day who were unable to attend

institution. classes every day out of a

population of 40 learners.

Root causes of the obstacle Priority actions

Lack of teachers follow up Stakeholders to organize for feeding program to assist

needy learners

Sickness The school to alliance with the nearby health centre to

treat sick learners

Lack of parental involvement Informing parents/guardians on the problem facing the

learners

Don’t care attitude The school to have a meeting with learner to sensitize

on the need to attend all lessons

Assisting work at home and taking The school to invite a motivational speakers to talk to

care of their siblings the parents/guardians on the need to provide basic need

for their children and allow them to come to school

Teachers responsiveness Capacity building of the school staff

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 SECTION 10: ACTION PLAN
Institution: MWIRERI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Measurable results: The school leadership styles will reduce the students absenteeism to less

than 5% per day in the next two terms.

No. Priority action Personal Resources 2022 2022

responsible need
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

month month month month month month

1 Fund raising for Principal Fincancial √

needy learners BOM and Human
resource
2 Employ school Principal, Human √
nurse / health BOM, resource and
centre political finances
leaders

3 Providing for Parents / Human √ √ √ √ √ √

transport guardians resource and
financial
support
4 Meetings with Principal, Human √ √ √
parents/ HOD’S, resource and
guardians BOM finances
5 Capacity Principal, Human √ √
building of BOM resource and
teachers finances

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Section 11: Monitoring and Evaluation plan
Time frame A B C D=C-B E=C-A

Current situation Measurable Actual Variance Overall

baseline results research performance

achieved

1st month 16 5 15 10 6

2023

2nd month 12 5 10 5 2

2023

3rd month 8 6 10 6 2

2023

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Conclusions
In relation to absenteeism the study concludes that all the factors investigated have a contribution
to make towards pupils’ absenteeism.

In general, irregular and inadequate fees lead to absenteeism as pupils absent themselves to go
and look for fees. Poor performance in class usually discourages pupils from attending class.

Parents contribute to pupils’ absenteeism by assigning too much home chores. This is not
compatible with regular class attendance, Teachers’ negative attitude towards the pupils
contributes to absenteeism.

Quite often pupils missed classes due to lack of facilities, electricity to do school home work. In
addition to the above, indiscipline was added as a major student factor contributing to school
absenteeism. Parental factors adding to the above causes of absenteeism include low value of
education by parents and pupils. This eventually leads to neglecting the pupils’ school welfare,
consequently leading to school absenteeism.

Regarding the school factors in addition to the above factors, it was observed that provision of
adequate facilities, rigid school rules and traditions, poor sanitation, poor teacher-pupil
relationships and inadequate staffing also led to discouragement of teachers and students, and
subsequently, cause pupils to absent themselves from school.

Additional reasons for absenteeism due to community factors include low illiteracy level in the
community, cultural practices that engage pupils’ school time and thought, lack of role models,
early circumcision of boys, as well as, nomadic way of life among community members.

Finally, it is concluded that students, parental, school and community factors, when not well
managed, they greatly contribute to school pupils’ absenteeism. Consequently, and more
critically, absenteeism leads to poor school academic performance.

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Recommendation
As a result of the foregoing, the following recommendations are made:

a) The parents and the community should be encouraged to understand the value of their
children’s education. This can be done through; more interaction of the parents with the school
management through individual/parents visits to the school, parents’ general meetings, parents’
seminars in the school, and community organized seminars by the chiefs and educational officers
on school matters. This will lead to parents taking their responsibilities seriously. These
responsibilities would include ensuring that their children attend school regularly, paying school
fees regularly, as well as, ensuring that their school going children are well disciplined and
facilitated to do their school homework.

b) The head-teachers, the local education officers and the teachers should ensure that all the
needed teaching and learning facilities are adequately and well utilized so as to improve on the
school performance. Equally the head-teachers should ensure effective pupil discipline. When all
this is well done, it will also improve the relationship among members of the school and the
surrounding community, in addition to, improvement of the school performance.

c) The head-teacher should practice effective school management principles. Such principles
would include involvement of teachers and pupils in relevant aspects of school management for
promoting appropriate school culture. It is within his/her responsibility to create good
environment and opportunities for effective participation of teachers, pupils, parents, as well as,
other members of the surrounding community.

d) The head-teacher should look for ways and measures to encourage participation of parents
with limited resources to participate in school activities and where possible look for
opportunities for their children to be supported for example, by CDF and well-wishers.

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REFERENCES
Brooke, P. P. (1986). Beyond the Steers and Rhodes model of employee attendance. Academy of
Management review, 11(2), 345-361. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10276563/

Bryman, A. (Ed.). (2013). Doing Research in Organizations (RLE: Organizations). Routledge.

Chimombo, J. P. G. (2005). Quantity versus quality in education: Case studies in Malawi.

International Review of Education, 51(2-3), 155-172.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/25054519

Cooper, W., & Schindler, D. (2003). Approaches to Social Research. Oxford University Press

Cunningham, M. M. (2005). A study of school enrolment, attendance and dropout rates.

[Unpublished thesis, Jamaica University of west Indies]. Mona,Jamica.
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A+study+of+school+enrolment,+attendance+an
d+dropout+rates&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart

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