Influence of Headteachers’ Provision of Examination Assessment Resources on Academic Integrity in Public Primary Schools in Eldas Sub-County, Wajir County, Kenya

Mohamud Daud Ahmed & Ruth Thinguri
School of Education
Mount Kenya University
Email: moha525933@gmail.com

Abstract: Headteachers’ provision of examination assessment resources plays an important role in ensuring that integrity of examinations is upheld in schools. However, in Eldas Sub- County, many public primary schools still report cases of examination malpractices. This study sought to assess the influence of headteachers’ provision of examination assessment resources on academic integrity in public primary schools in Eldas Sub- County, Wajir County, Kenya. The study was guided by the theory of supervisory practice and theory of planned behaviour. The study adopted a mixed methodology and applied concurrent triangulation research design. Target population comprised 35 headteachers, 35 Director of Studies and 134 teachers totaling to 204 respondents, from which a sample of 136 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. This comprised 8 headteachers, 8 Directors of Studies and 120 teachers. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25) and presented using tables. The study established that there have been many reported cases of examination malpractice which point to lower levels of academic integrity in many public primary schools. This has been partly attributed to the inability of headteachers to provide adequate examination assessment resources. Thus, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education should continue ensuring that schools or examination centers are conducive for learners and safe to guarantee academic integrity.