Influence of SMASSE INSET on Chemistry Teachers` Classroom Practices in Public Secondary Schools in Nandi East Sub-County, Nandi County, Kenya

Hillary Lelei Kogos, Bernard N. Githua & Ann C. Barmao
Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya
Email: hillaryleleik@gmail.com

Abstract: Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary School Education (SMASSE) is an In-Service Education and Training (INSET) course for mathematics and science teachers aimed at improving their classroom approaches and students’ achievement. The study sought to find out the influence of SMASSE INSET on chemistry teachers’ classroom practices on achievement of chemistry subject in Nandi East Sub-County, Nandi County, Kenya. The study targeted 98 Chemistry teachers. Simple random sampling was used to select 6 out of 30 schools. Chemistry teachers were purposively selected. Questionnaire for chemistry teachers was administered. Descriptive data was presented in terms of frequency tables, mean, standard deviation and percentages. Inferential data was analyzed using Pearson correlation, linear regression analysis statistic at a significant level of 0.05. The findings indicate that SMASSE INSET had a positive and statistically significant influence on chemistry teachers` classroom practices in public secondary schools in Nandi East Sub-County, Nandi County, Kenya. Despite the positive changes on the chemistry teachers’ classroom practice, chemistry achievement has not improved as expected. This implies that more interventions have to be put in place to improve students’ chemistry achievement.