Motivation And Academic Performance Of Students In Schools In Makueni District In Kenya

ABSTRACT

The study set out to determine the relationship between motivation and

academic performance of students of St John's Malivani, in Makueni district

Kenya. A number of schools were motivating their teachers and students to

stimulate the performance in national examinations. Despite this, the

performance of some schools in national examination were extremely very poor.

The research question was on the characteristics / personal information of the

teachers, subjects taught grade attained. The school previous performance,

types of motivation offered by the school management, and suggestions on how

to enhance motivation in schools.

Data for the study was obtained through structured interview, questionnaires

and observations were used to gather information and how they influenced

performance in the school.

A sample population of 10 teachers and 80 students were investigated. The

survey led to certain conclusions; first teachers experience in teaching and long

stay in the school was a strong factor for the teacher to enable them to perform

well in their work.

There were still no quality passes at national examination with most of the

students obtaining B plain. This could not enable the students to pursue quality

courses at the university or a middle level college. Subjects in which students obtained high / better grades were taught by experienced teachers and to some extent these teachers had a kind of motivation for good performance. So in a way motivation contributed to good performance to some extent.

There was little government participation in the motivation of teachers. The bulk

work of motivating the teachers were left to parents who were already over burden by school fees. Since they started appreciating the effort of teachers and students by motivating

them the school mean grade improved progressively. This means that motivation contributed to good performance.

Based on foregoing conclusion certain recommendations were presented. First, the government through the Ministry of Education should take an active part in

teachers through the provision of staff houses. This would enable the teacher to participate fully in his work without the worry of traveling home. Teachers Service Commission (T.S.C) should develop a scheme of promotion on value added. This should make teachers to be sure of what they expect when they perform well in their job and a teacher joining the school should properly be oriented on motivation policy. This would make the teacher to adopt well to the school system. Lastly cash award has an immediate impact on the teachers than

any form of incentives. It should therefore be considered as more popular type of motivation among teachers.