Influence of Organization and Coordination of Laboratory Facilities on Students’ Achievement in Physics in Secondary Schools of Njoro Sub County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Physics is a science subject that provides the foundation of industrial, technological and economic development of any country. Despite this, student’s achievement in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) physics in Njoro Sub County has been poor over the years. The unsatisfactory performance may perhaps be due to Management of Laboratory Facilities (MLF). This study examined the influence of organizing and coordination of Laboratory Facilities on students’ achievement in physics in public secondary schools in Njoro Sub County.  The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study comprised of all the 8229 students and 60 physics teachers in public secondary schools in Njoro Sub County. The accessible population was all the 60 physics teachers and 2385 form two students in the 35 public schools in sub county schools.  A sample of 53 physics teachers and 343 form two students who participated in the study were selected using purposive, stratified, proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. A student’s physics practical achievement test (SPPAT), laboratory facility checklist (LFC) and physics teacher laboratory facilities management questionnaire (PTMLFQ) were used to collect data. Data was analysed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The study established that organization of laboratory facilities has statistically significant influence on students’ achievement in physics. The study also revealed that coordination of laboratory facilities has statistically significant influence on students’ achievement in physics. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education through its various agents, to review its laboratory organisation and coordination policies. The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) should emphasise on the Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development (TPAD) to ensure students’ performance is monitored across all classes.

Keywords: Organization, Coordination, Management of Laboratory Facilities, Student’s Achievement