Influence of selected factors on teachers’ and students’ perceptions of their school: a comparative study of extra-county and county secondary schools in Eldoret East Sub- County

Abstract

There are variations in Kenyan secondary schools leading to disparities. School categorization is a form of variation leading to perception of schools. The study aimed at determining the influence of selected factors on teachers‟ and students‟ perception of their school. Specifically, to determine the influence of teachers‟ factors on perception of their school by focusing on the influence of teachers‟ gender, age, professional qualification, teaching experience and responsibility on their perception of school. Also, to investigate the influence of students‟ factors on their perception of their school by focusing on the influence of students‟ gender, age and home location on their perception of school. Thirdly, to find out the difference between teachers‟ and students‟ perception in the extra-county and county schools by investigating the influence of teachers‟ and students‟ school category on teachers‟ and students‟ perception of school. It was a comparative study of the extra-county and county secondary schools in Eldoret East Sub- county. The study was based on a population of 6832. Data was collected through perception of school questionnaire administered to 240 students and 40 teachers in 10 stratified randomly selected schools. Principals and deputy principals of the schools were interviewed. Teachers‟ factors, students‟ factors and school category constituted the independent variables while teachers‟ and students‟ perception of their school constituted the dependent variables. The social learning theory by Albert Bandura emphasizes relationship among cognition, behavior and environment. It is relevant because ones environment influence ones thoughts and behavior. A conceptual framework was used to show teachers‟ factors, student factors‟ and school category influence teachers‟ and students‟ perceptions of their school. Descriptive survey research design was used. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of SPSS version 21. Chi square was used to find out whether teachers‟ and students‟ factors influenced their perception of their school. In addition, it was also used to find out whether there was significant difference between students‟ and teachers‟ perception of their school based on school categories. Tests were based on 0.05 level of significance. Reliability estimates of questionnaires were computed using test - retest and reliability coefficient was 0.79 during the pilot study. Results revealed that teachers‟ factors except for gender and students‟ factors influenced their perception of their school. School category influenced teachers‟ and students‟ perception of their school. There was a difference of 15% between students‟ and teachers‟ perception of their school where teachers and students in extra-county schools perceived their school more favorably than those in county schools. The study findings are informative as they challenge the educationist and school managers to improve the school climate as it influences the perception of school. The study further recommends the Ministry of Education should re-examine school categorization.