The effect of strengthening Mathematics and Sciences in secondary education in-service education training on Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education performance of Mathematics in Kisii Central District

Abstract

Over the years performance of mathematics at secondary level has dropped significantly causing a major concern to society. It is against this background that this study sought to investigate the effect of Strengthening Mathematics and Sciences in Secondary Education, In-Service Education Training project on performance of mathematics at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations, with regard to the subject content, pedagogy/methodologies, attitude and teaching-learning material. The study area was in Kisii Central District of Kisii County of Kenya with a target population of 63 secondary schools; 35 304 students in the schools and 136 mathematics teachers of secondary schools. The sample size comprised of20 secondary schools, 41 mathematics teachers and 380 students. Sampling techniques used were, purposive to select Strengthening Mathematics and Sciences Secondary Education, In- Service Education Training centre, stratified to categorize schools and simple random sampling to select students in each school. Validity and reliability were controlled by sampling and pilot testing of instruments in yamira orth district of yamira County, Kenya. Interviews were used for Strengthening Mathematics and Sciences Secondary Education, In-Service Education Training centre officers and document analysis at the Strengthening Mathematics and Sciences Secondary Education, In-Service Education Training centre and District Education Officer's office. Questionnaires were used to collect data from students, teachers of mathematics and Mathematics Head of Departments. All the questionnaire items were closed and were self-administered. Data were analyzed by descriptively using the chi-square. The research found out that Strengthening Mathematics and Sciences Secondary Education, In-Service Education Training project had significantly improved performance of mathematics. The study established that Strengthening Mathematics and Sciences Secondary Education, In- Service Education Training has changed attitude of teachers and students, improved Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Teaching/Learning Materials, and thus some improvement in performance of mathematics. The study will be useful to the mathematics teachers in evaluating their work against the SMASSE fNSET methodologies in relation to their performance. The study will also be useful to DQASO's for their supervision processes from one school to another. The findings should also help proponents of SMASSE INSET project to review their curriculum especially to incorporate more content coverage to add to the mastery of content of the mathematics teachers. The study recommends for further research on the relevance of subject content knowledge acquired by secondary mathematics teachers in the teachers training colleges and universities.