Teacher Factors Influencing Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students In Physics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the teacher-related factors affecting the academic performance of secondary school students in physics in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County. The selection of this topic was motivated by the persistently low performance in physics among secondary schools in this region over the past four years.

The research objectives were:

  1. To assess how teacher commitment to covering the physics syllabus influences academic performance among secondary school students.
  2. To determine the impact of teacher preparedness on students’ academic achievement in physics.
  3. To evaluate the influence of team teaching on the academic performance of secondary school students in physics.
  4. To identify the challenges faced by physics teachers that affect the academic performance of secondary school students in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County.

The study employed a descriptive survey design to gather data on these factors from secondary schools in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County. The theoretical framework guiding this study was Bloom’s theory of school learning. A total of 39 secondary schools were included in the study sample, comprising 35 public and 4 private secondary schools. Stratified random sampling was used to select physics teachers in schools with multiple teachers, while purposive sampling was applied in schools with only one physics teacher.

To ensure reliability, the research instruments were piloted in two schools in another Sub County, yielding a Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) of r = 0.92 for the test-retest reliability. Data was collected through questionnaires and document analysis, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings were presented using frequencies, charts, and descriptive statistics.

The study revealed that teacher commitment, preparedness, team teaching, and challenges faced by physics teachers significantly influence the academic performance of secondary school students in physics in Bureti Sub County, Kericho County. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to educators, principals, teachers, and parents/guardians to enhance teacher commitment to syllabus coverage, improve teacher preparation, promote team teaching, and ensure adequate maintenance and availability of physics apparatus in school laboratories. Additionally, the study suggested improving teacher motivation to enhance students’ academic performance in physics

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Background of the Study

1.3 Statement of the problem

1.4 Purpose of the study

1.5 Research Objective of the study

1.6 Research questions

1.7 Justification of the study

1.8 Significance of the Study

1.9 Scope of the study
1.10 Limitation of the study

1.11 Assumptions of the study

1.12Theoretical framework

1.13 Conceptual framework

1.14 Operational Definitions of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Role of Physics in National Development .
2.3 Teacher‘s commitment in physics Syllabus Coverage
2.4 Teacher Preparedness in the teaching of physics .
2.4.1 Qualification of the teacher .
2.4.2 Number of lessons a teacher is allocated. .
2.4.3 Teacher Experience .
2.5 Team Teaching.
2.6 Challenges faced by teachers of physics
2.7 Researches in the recent past .
2.8 Summary of the reviewed literature .

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY .
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Area of Study .
3.3 Research Design.
3.4 Target Population .
3.5 Sampling Design and Procedure
3.6 Data Collection Instruments
3.6.1 Questionnaires.
3.6.2 Document analysis Guide .
3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Instruments
3.8 Methods of data collection .
3.9 Data Analysis and presentation

CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS .
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Bio data
4.2.1 Gender of the respondents
4.3 Teachers‘ commitment in physics syllabus coverage
4.3 Teacher‘s preparedness
4.3.1 Qualifications of teachers .
4.3.2 Physics lessons missed by teachers
4.3.3 Teaching experience
4.3.4 Number of years in the current school
4.3.5 Schemes of work prepared by teachers of physics .
4.4 Teacher rating on teamwork
4.5 Challenges faced by teachers of physics
4.6 Summary

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
5.2 Summary of the research findings .
5.2.1 Findings from teacher‘s commitment in physics syllabus coverage
5.2.2 Findings from teacher‘s preparedness
5.2.3 The influence of team teaching on academic performance
5.2.4 Challenges faced by physics teachers .
5.3 Conclusions
5.4 Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDICES

Research Guidelines

The Title Page should be the first section of your project “Teacher Factors Influencing Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students In Physics”, providing essential details like the project title, your name, your supervisor’s name, the institution, and the submission date. After that, the Abstract offers a brief summary of your project, touching on its purpose, methods, results, and conclusions in 150-300 words. The Acknowledgments section is where you can thank those who supported your research, such as your supervisor, peers, or organizations that provided resources.

Next, the Table of Contents organizes the Teacher Factors Influencing Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students In Physics by listing its chapters and sections, along with page numbers for easy reference. The List of Figures and List of Tables help guide readers to specific visual elements like graphs, charts, or tables included in the document. There should also be an Abbreviations and Glossary section to explain any specialized terms or acronyms, making the content clearer to readers unfamiliar with the technical language.

The main body of the Teacher Factors Influencing Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students In Physics should start with the Introduction, which provides background information, outlines the research problem, states your objectives, and gives a brief overview of your research methods. Following that, the Literature Review offers an in-depth look at previous research relevant to your project, identifying gaps your study aims to address. The Methodology section then explains the research design, tools, and data collection methods you used to conduct the project and analyze the data.

In the Results and Discussion section, you present your findings and discuss them in relation to the Teacher Factors Influencing Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students In Physics research questions or objectives, often using tables or charts to help explain the data. The Conclusion summarizes the key results, discusses their implications, and suggests possible directions for future research. You may also include recommendations based on your findings, offering practical advice for improvements or applications. Finally, the Teacher Factors Influencing Academic Performance Of Secondary School Students In Physics project should include a References or Bibliography section to list all the sources you cited, as well as Appendices for any additional material. A Statement of Originality is often included to confirm the authenticity of your work