KIBABII UNIVERSITY

STAR GROUP MEMEBERS

NAME REG NUMBER PHONE NUMBER

1. KOOKO N VERONICA EDA/0230/21 074599642

2. MWANGI PETER EDA/0173/21 0757430518

3. ODONGO EVANS EDA/0097/21 0114403905

4. SHEM C SHALEX EDA/0239/21 0110249338

5. AMIANI AGNES EDA/0399/21 0115243938

6. PHEMMY MASIEBI EDA/0351/21 0113362767

7. LINUS OMANYALA EDA/0398/21 0719237604

8. EDWIN WEKESA EDA/0332/21 0111467339

9. ESTHER WAFULA EDA/0169/21 0794886059

10. FAITH CHEPKEMOI EDA/0049/21 0797438633

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

TITLE: A RESEARCH PROPOSAL TO INVESTIGATE THE MAIN CAUSES OF POOR

PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN ST AGNES SHIBUYE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL

PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSAL IS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE

DEPARTMENT OF …………AND ………….. EDUCATION AS A PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF A DEGREE IN BACHELOR OF EDUCATION ARTS

INSTITUTION: KIBABII UNIVERSITY

DATE ………………………………………………………………..
DECLARATION:

We do hereby declare that this article is my original work and has never been presented or
submitted to any institution.
DEDICATION.

I dedicate this work to my beloved parents and my fellow teacher – student at Kibabii
University. Your daily prayers play a vital role in the success of my education.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

I would like to thank the almighty God for the far he has brought me, for his strength and
energy with determination in the study.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to;

The supervisor from the department, Proffesor Stanley Mutsotso for making this report a
success.

My fellow teacher students for their great support

Table of Contents
RESEARCH PROPOSAL.............................................................................................................................i

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

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..........................................................................................................iv

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

CHAPTER ONE........................................................................................................................................6

1.1: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY........................................................................................6

1.2: STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM..........................................................................6

1.3: PURPOSE OF THE STUDY......................................................................................6

1.4: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK......................................................................................... 6

1.5: RESEARCH OBJECTIVES..................................................................................................7

1.6: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY...........................................................................7

1.7: RESEARCH QUESTIONS........................................................................................7

1.8: JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY..........................................................................8

1.9:0: SCOPE......................................................................................................................... 8

1.9.1: AREA OF STUDY....................................................................................................8

1.9.2: ASSUMPTIONS.......................................................................................................8

1.9.3: LIMITATIONS.........................................................................................................8

CHAPTER TWO.......................................................................................................................................9

LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................................................9

2.0: INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 9

2.1: MAIN REASONS FOR POOR PERFORMANCES IN BUSINESS STUDIES....................10

2.1.1: HOME BACKGROUND AND STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS....10

2.1.2: LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF THE PARENTS AND STUDENTS' SUCCESS

AT SCHOOL.................................................................................................................... 10

2.1.3: PARENT'S MARITAL STATUS AND STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE AT SCHOOL.. . .11

2.1.4: PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION OF TEACHERS AND PERFORMANCE IN

MATHEMATICS...............................................................................................................................11

2.1.5: TEACHER FACTORS............................................................................................................12

2.1.6: PEER INFLUENCE................................................................................................................12

CHAPTER THREE..................................................................................................................................13

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY............................................................................................13

3.1: INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................13

3.2: RESEARCH DESIGN.......................................................................................................13

3.3: RESEARCH AREA.......................................................................................................... 13

3.4: TARGET POPULATION.................................................................................................. 14

3.5: SAMPLE SIZE................................................................................................................14

3.6: RESEARCH TOOLS........................................................................................................ 14

3.7: VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS...........................................14

3.8: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS...............................................................................................14

3.9: DATA ANALYSIS............................................................................................................ 14

ABSTRACT.

The study intends to examine the possible causes of poor performance in Mathematics. The
study will be carried out at St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School. In order to come up with
findings that can help offer solution to the current poor performance in Mathematics, the
review of the literature focuses on the causes and effects of underperformance in
Mathematics.

Survey research will be employed using questionnaires containing open ended and close
ended questions and interviews. The study population will include teachers, students and the
school staff as a whole. Since it will be difficult to interact with every stakeholder in the
school, a method of sampling will be used where a sample of the target population will be
selected for the study. Data collected will be computed, analysed and presented by use of
tables.
CHAPTER ONE

1.1: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Students’ performance in Mathematics has been a great concern since the beginning of 8-4-4
system of education. The main objective of education in Kenya and other countries in the world
is to provide learners with quality Education.
The ministry of education in Kenya has expressed concern over the recent decline in
performance of learners in Mathematics at the K.C.S.E.

The ministry of education in Kenya through (KNEC Report 2006) has expressed its concern over
the decline in the performances of learners in Mathematics at Kenya certificate of secondary
education. (KCSE).

The main focus of this study will be the students of St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School and the
teachers of Mathematics in the Same school, the study will concentrate on the problems of
learning Mathematics in the school hence filling the knowledge gap obtained from similar
researches.

1.2: STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.

There has been persistent poor performance among students in the national examination at St
Agnes Shibuye Girls High School. The poor performance in Mathematics has been assumed to
be the cause of poor performance in KCSE. Lack of motivation, time wastage, lack of enough
facilities such as textbooks, ineffective preparedness and inefficient examination techniques have
been reported and have raised concerns among parents, teachers and stakeholders because of the
poor grades in Mathematics as a subject. Therefore, there is need for efforts to be combined in
dealing with poor performance among students in Mathematics.

The findings of this study will help find the possible solutions to the problems to ensure that it is
dealt with and the performance in KCSE is improved.
1.3: PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.
The study will aim at establishing the main factors or reasons for poor performance in
Mathematics in St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School.

1.4: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK.

It shows the correlation that exists between the independent and dependent variables. Dependent
variables are determined by independent variables. A dependent variable is an outcome variable
while independent variable is a variable that can be controlled, changed or manipulated.

1.5: RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.

i. To investigate the extent to which home Background affect performance of Mathematics

s in St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School To what extend does the availability of teaching
and learning resources affect performance of Mathematics in St Agnes Shibuye Girls
High School To determine the impact of professional qualification of teachers on
Mathematics performance.
ii. To investigate how student related factors like peer pressure and negative attitudes affect
the performance of Mathematics.
v. To determine how teacher related factors influence students’ performance

1.6: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.

This study will be important for school administration in formulating new strategies to curb poor
performance in Mathematics.

The study will also help future scholars who will be trying to find a solution to this problem. As
future problems will be solved using past researches.

The study will enable school managers to make decisions on which Mathematics teaching and
learning materials they will use at school.

The study will help students to have positive attitude towards Mathematics and enable parents
know what materials they can purchase for their children.
1.7: RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
i. Does home background affect the academic performance of students in Mathematics?
ii. What is the influence of teaching and learning resources on students’ performance in
Mathematics?
iii. How does professional qualification of teachers affect student's performance in
Mathematics?
iv. How does student related factors lead to poor performance in Mathematics?
v. To what extend does integration of English and literature affect performance in
Mathematics?
vi. How does teacher related factors affect performance of Mathematics?

1.8: JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY.

The study will be carried out because performance in Mathematics greatly determines the career
bridge for many students in higher learning institutions.

1.9:0: SCOPE

The study will mainly cover the main causes of poor performance in St Agnes Shibuye Girls
High School

1.9.1: AREA OF STUDY.

The study will be conducted in Vihiga County, Vihiga zone, Mungoma village and specifically
St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School

1.9.2: ASSUMPTIONS.
i. I will assume that the samples represent the total population under study and that my data
collecting instruments are valid and accurate.
ii. The study will assume that the responses given by the respondents will be sincere and
honest.
iii. The study also assumes that the students and teachers know all the reason why the school
is performing poorly in Mathematics.
 iv. Also, the study assumes that all respondents will be cooperative and will provide correct
responses.

1.9.3: LIMITATIONS.
i. I was faced with time limit in the study and this should not happen in future, a bigger
time duration should be given to allow the researcher get enough responses from the
respondents.
ii. The study focused on only one school; therefore, it may not represent all the schools in
Vihiga County and the factors leading to poor performances in Mathematics may not be
the same across all the schools.
iii. Some students and teachers were uncooperative as some of them avoided some questions.
iv. Environmental factors affected my study as the rain interfered with my research,
hindering me from collecting more information

1.9.4: Definition of terms used in the study

To set the stage for my research proposal of factors causing poor performance in chemistry in
Shibuye Girls High school ,I present working definitions of some terms;

Performance: accomplishing of specific goals, objectives or set marking any academic

endeavor.

Curriculum: a sequence of potential experience, set up in schools to discipline children and

youths in ways of thinking and acting whether carried out in groups or individually inside or
outside the school.

Practical: Refers to teaching/learning approach that stresses the importance of observation and
the uses of senses in obtaining scientific knowledge. In this method the learners are the active
participants. They manipulate the learning resources and the materials under the guidance of the
subject teacher.

Professional qualification :Is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to

perform a teaching task in a school e.g. Bachelors in Education, Masters in Education etcThe
professional growth that a teacher achieves as a result of gaining increased experience from
seminars, in- service training or workshops attended.
Syllabus : A plan that states exactly what students at a school should learn in a particular
subject as stipulated curriculum
Teacher : Refers to the person employed for the purpose of guiding and directing learning
experiences of students in an educational institution
Teaching/learning methods : Refers to various techniques used for teaching/learning purpose.
Teaching/learning resources : Refer to the requirements needed to assist in delivery of
knowledge to students’

\
CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0: INTRODUCTION.

This chapter will focus on the literature available for factors or main causes that contribute to
students' poor performance in Mathematics in St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School

It's organized as follows: impact of home background, level of education of parents, parents’
marital status, professional qualification of teachers, availability of teaching and learning
resources, Teacher factor, peer influence and Unconducive learning environment, on students’
performance in Mathematics.

2.1: MAIN REASONS FOR POOR PERFORMANCES IN BUSINESS STUDIES.

2.1.1: HOME BACKGROUND AND STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS

In educational context, a family can be defined as those people who are related to the students by
either blood or adoption. The family is the first primary agent of socialization; it encourages
students to perform well through family/child interactions.

Downey (1995) says that most differences in performance in English results from home
background issues. He discusses that children living with step parents have very few parental
resources available which greatly affects educational performance. Those parental resources
include talking about school issues with children, attending school functions and knowing your
children's friends.

Family size also affects students’ academic achievement. Downey (1995) says that a small
family indicates that there are more resources both personal and economical which are available
to each family member. The majority of measured parental resources available to any child are
related to family size. The more the children, the less time a parent will spend with him or her
and also the less the money to spend on him or her.
According to (Coleman et Al. 1996) a family is very important for students’ achievement. He
says that social and family background, greatly determines students’ academic success. Coleman
says that school inputs have a very little impact on Students achievement. From Coleman's study
we can say that success begins at the family level.

Ezewu (1988) also says that educated parents provide adequate learning materials for their
children, send their children to good schools which makes them attain higher educational
qualification to occupy higher positions in societies.

2.1.2: LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF THE PARENTS AND STUDENTS' SUCCESS AT

SCHOOL.
The level of education of the parents is the degree to which parents have acquired some
knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of informal and formal education.

Educated parents can communicate better with their children regarding their school work,
activities and the information being taught at school. They can better assist their children in their
work and participate at school. The study conducted by Info track in Kenya on parents Education
show that parent's level of education is very crucial for the performance of their children to
school early. They act as good role models to their teenage children who aspire to emulate them
in manners and lifestyles as opposed to children of illiterate parents.

Ezewu (1988), found out that educated parents also provide adequate learning resources for their
children, which stimulates them to perform better in all subjects. Those parents are concerned
over their children's Educational Performance; they may coach their children themselves or
appoint part time teachers for them. They send their children to the best nursery schools, primary
schools and secondary Schools which serve as a gateway to higher levels of education like
university, which in turn leads to higher Educational qualification to occupy higher positions in
societies.

In a study conducted by Ezewo ( 1988), he found out that the higher the levels of education of
parents, the more likely it motivated the children to learn and be more better than their parents.
2.1.3: PARENT'S MARITAL STATUS AND STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE AT SCHOOL.
Marital status refers to the state of being married, single, divorced or a bachelor. (Webster
dictionary). Parent's marital status has both positive and negative effects on Students
Performance at school.

According to Markowitz and Gentlemine (1974), the separation of parents is a destructive event
in a family, which affects Performance in all aspects of life. Sheila and Michael (1989) say that
the level of parent’s marital status influences students’ performance at school. Penny (2001) says
that, parents marital status influences students’ performance at school, she emphasizes that
children living with their step mothers are targets of misdirected emotion and mistreatments
while children from stable families tend to perform far better in school.

Laura (1989) says that children from single parent families receive less adult attention, affection,
love, sympathy, guidance and security and are emotionally disturbed. Bhate 1998 says that there
is a link between parent's marital status and student's performance. For instance, lack of cordial
understanding in a family causes instability, lack of cordial understanding in a family causes
instability, lack of control in children's behavior also Influence Performance.

2.1.4: PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION OF TEACHERS AND PERFORMANCE IN

MATHEMATICS
Usman (2012) defined a qualified teacher as the one who have a teaching certificate, one who is
certified by the government and one who owns a bachelor's degree in his or her area of
specialization.

According to Murunga Et Al (2005) established that there is necessity to investigate the traits of
teachers of secondary Schools in terms of competency, experience and methods of teaching in
order to ensure there is quality Education given to Students. He continues and says that teachers
should be given in-service training where gaps are identified to enable them cope with the
requirement of the changing curriculum.

Aaronson et al (2007) says that the main vital school based determining factor of the student’s
achievement is the quality of teachers. Gordon, Kane, Stagier and Nyaswabu (2013) says that
Students who are taught by effective and qualified teachers would likely to perform more than
those who were taught by an ineffective teacher. Therefore, the professional qualifications of
teachers contribute a lot to Student's Performance in Mathematics.

Adeogun (2001) says that there is a strong association between resources for teaching and
learning and performance in academics. He also postulates that those schools with enough
Teaching and learning materials excel more in examinations than schools with inadequate
learning resources.

Mutai (2006) says that learning is improved when there is adequate Teaching and learning
materials such as revision books or textbooks.

2.1.5: TEACHER FACTORS.

According to purves (2003), teacher's experience and Teaching have a significant bearing on
Student's Performance. Hanushek (1999), suggest that training upgrades teachers’ skills thus
improving the academic results of students. In contrast, the knowledge and experience that the
teachers have in teaching plays a big role in determining Student's Performance. This research by
purves relates to what my study seeks to establish.

A teacher absentee is also a major factor. Teacher abseentism is associated with poor
performance and on the contrary the more the hours, the more Teaching time and the more
positive Student performance.

A good teacher needs to have been properly trained, through proper training a teacher will
review lessons, outline and summarize concepts well. Good teachers will make Students know
their strengths and weaknesses.

Effective Teaching and learning involves organizing lessons well. Broughton et al (1993, P. 38)
observes that the often forgotten field of pedagogy is concerned with class management,
questioning techniques, lesson planning and Teaching strategies. The teacher apparently makes
decisions about the problem involved in learning Mathematics.
2.1.6: PEER INFLUENCE.
Korir, (2014) says that most students in high schools are in adolescence period. Adolescence is
that transition period from childhood to adulthood. Peer influence makes Students to do what
their friends are doing without considering if it's good or bad. Students may be influenced
negatively by their friends for instance they may be introduced to bad habits such as smoking of
bhang , chewing of miraa and drinking of alcohol. Students who take drugs may bring chaos in
schools or may do abnormal things in school.

Peers can also Influence each other positively for instance they help each other in identifying
ways that can make them succed in their academics such as forming Discussion groups. They
may also motivate each other and help each other in achieving their life goals.
CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

3.1: INTRODUCTION.
This chapter will mainly focus on methodology that will be used in the study, it includes:
Research design Research area, target population, sample size, research tools, procedures of data
collection and ethical considerations.

3.2: RESEARCH DESIGN.

A research design encompasses the methodology and procedures employed to conduct research
while research methodology encompasses the methods and principles used to obtain the data
from the research population.

The design and methodology will be chosen based on their suitability to collect the data from one
given population. Therefore, this chapter covers the methods used in data collection, location,
sources of data, research population, sample population, sampling techniques and instruments of
data collection and procedures.

3.3: RESEARCH AREA

Our research will be conducted in St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School, Vihiga County,
Mungoma village.

3.4: TARGET POPULATION

The target population of this study will be 200 Students and 8 teachers. The respondents will be
teachers of Mathematics, form three students and form four Students.

3.5: SAMPLE SIZE

Sampling is the selection of individuals or members of a selected population so as to represent

the whole population. I will survey 20% of the whole population, that is approximately 40
individuals.
3.6: RESEARCH TOOLS.

The study will employ the use of a questionnaire in the collection of data. According to kothari
( 2004), a research questionnaire constitutes a number of questions that are an explicit order on a
form. The questionnaires will be used because it is less costly when dealing with a large group.
The questionnaires will be administered to teachers of Mathematics and Students, I will also
interview some students and teachers.

3.7: VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS.

Validity is the degree to which the results acquired is correct and precise. Data collection
instruments is valid if the context selected is relevant. To ascertain the validity of my instruments
like questionnaires. On the other hand, reliability is the ability of an instrument to over and over
again yield similar results. Split- half method would be used to estimate the degree to which
consistent results would be repeatedly obtained for accuracy.

3.8: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS.

I will have to sought permission from the chief principal St Agnes Shibuye Girls High School,
Mrs Penina Okech. I will have to seek consent from Mathematics Department. I will have to
avoid seeking sensitive information which may intrude respondent's privacy.

3.9: DATA ANALYSIS.

This is the process of applying statistical or logical techniques systematically to describe,

illustrate, condense, recap and evaluate data. The data collected will be analyzed in a way that
others can read and understand. The data will be analyzed and coded using both quantitative
questionnaires was recorded for analysis. The researcher analyzed the data manually. The
proportional analysis technique was used to determine and compare the proportion of
respondents who gave either" Yes" or "No" responses in the questionnaires which aided in our
research.
REFERENCE

Ezewo, E. 1988. Sociology of education. London: Longman Group ltd.

Gentlement and Markowitz, J. (1974). The courage of divorce. New York: McGraw -Hill.

Hanushek, E.A. ( 1997). Assessing the effects of school resources on Students Performance.
Education evaluation and policy analysis, 19(2).

Honan, W.H. ( June, 1996). Report finds that income bests predicts Education. New York times.

Korir, (2014). Factors that influence Students Performance in secondary Schools.

Knec (2006). Candidates overall Performance Report for 2005. Nairobi: K.N.E.C.

Laura, E. B. (1989). Child development ( 4th ed) . Boston: Ally and Bacon.

Mugenda, A. 2008. Social science research: Theory and principles. Applied research and training
services. Nairobi, Kenya.

Purves, A. 2003. Literature on Education in ten countries. Stockholm, Sweden : Almquist and
wiksell.