Abstract:
Empirical research revealed that Kenya is experiencing poor performance in the Kenya
Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE) within the context of subsidized secondary
education adopted in 2008. School culture has been considered a central concept that
changes how schools operate, improve educational results and is heavily influenced by its
institutional norms and history which could be an obstacle to over all performances. The
purpose of the study therefore was to determine school culture and its influence on KCSE
attainment in Nandi Central Sub County Kenya. The study was guided by the following
objectives: To establish form(s) of culture(s) that is/are practiced. To determine the
relationship between school motto, vision, mission statement, to determine the relationship
between school rules, regulations and the attainment of KCSE in public secondary schools
in Kenya and to establish the relationship between Internal assessment exams and
attainment of KCSE in public secondary schools in Kenya. This study adopted convergent
triangulation mixed method research design; Pragmatic philosophical paradigm was
employed. This study was guided by dual factor theory by Fredrick Herzberg 1957. The
study was conducted in Nandi Central Sub-County, Nandi County involving 20 secondary
schools. There were 352 respondents comprising of 20 principals, 81 form four class
teachers and 251 form four students selected using simple random, stratified sampling and
purposive technique. Pilot study was conducted amongst 7 schools not sampled in Nandi
Central Sub-County. The data from the study was collected using questionnaires,
interview, document analysis and direct observation. Data generated from this study was
both quantitative and qualitative. Analysis of quantitative data involved, use of inferential
statistical analysis where data was coded and entered into a Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS)version 26. In qualitative approach, data was analyzed thematically by
organizing themes corresponding to the study objectives.The study revealed that, there
was a statistically significant relationship between formsof cultures practiced and
attainment of KCSE in Kenya (p=0.019<0.05). School motto, vision and mission
statement is statistically significantly associated with attainment of KCSE in Kenya
(X 2 =93.572, p=0.000<0.05). School rules, regulations, policies are statistically
significantly associated with attainment of KCSE in Kenya (X 2 =16.083, p=0.003<0.05).
Regular internal assessment exams are statistically significantly associated with attainment
of KCSE in Kenya (X 2 =14.821, p=0.005<0.05). The study concluded that forms of culture
practiced in schools include; equal distribution of educational resources and learning
opportunities, made students and staff feel emotionally and physically safe, high concern
for staff/students combined with strong performance expectations and being centered on
performance with little regard for staff and students. School motto, vision, mission
statement should spell out the purpose of the school, create a new and deeper relationship
among students and staff and consist of a new-defined ideology of the school, for example
fundamental values and beliefs. Set rules and regulations direct student’s social and
academic discipline that translates into performance by guiding student’s behaviors. For
students to attain good results teachers should offer more frequent continuous assessment
tests and the students were to take seriously the assessment tests offered. The study
recommends that schools should ensure that their school motto, vision, mission statement
spell out the purpose of the school and this would create a new and deeper relationship
among students and staff. The study also recommends that they should have set rules and
regulations, which would direct student’s social and academic discipline that translates
into improved performance by guiding students’ behaviors. The study finally recommends
that teachers should offer more frequent continuous assessment tests and the students
should take seriously the assessment tests offered as this will ensure attainment of good
result.