Effect of learner’s perception towards subjects on academic performance of boys and girls in selected mixed public primary schools in Kisumu County

Abstract

The academic performance between boys and girls has been varying in Kenya and Worldwide for many reasons. This study examined the effect of learner’s perception towards subjects on academic performance of boys and girls in selected mixed public primary schools in Kisumu County. This study used a descriptive survey research design. Head/Deputy teachers, class teachers, subject teachers, pupils and their parents of the public primary schools in Kisumu county constituted the Target population. Stratified sampling, Simple random sampling and Purposive sampling were used. A sample size of 30 % of the target population was used. Both Primary and Secondary data were collected using Questionnaire and written documents respectively. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used in data analysis. Results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between learner’s perception towards subjects on academic performance for boys (r=0.406 and p=0.026) and not significant for girls (r=-0.035 and p=0.863). Learners’ perception towards subjects predicts 13.5% of the learner’s (boys) academic performance meaning that 86% of the boys’ performance is predicted by other factors not accounted for by the model. This study concludes that academic performance of the boys is significantly affected by their perception towards subjects and recommends that there is need to establish and strengthen the guiding and counselling department in schools to make the pupils, especially boys take positive perception towards subjects.