Learning Strategies and Students’ Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Makadara Sub County, Nairobi City County, Kenya

Johnson Nzau Mavole (Corresponding Author) The Catholic University of Eastern Africa jmavole@cuea.edu
Michael Tedd Okuku – The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Mapenzi Getrude Ringa The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of learning strategies on students‟ academic performance in secondary schools in Makadara Sub County, Nairobi County. The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of strategic plan on students‟ academic performance in secondary schools in Makadara Sub County, Nairobi City County. The study was guided by the Education Production Function Theory by Mace (1979). Descriptive survey design targeting 23 principals, 92 Head of departments and 2885 form four students was use. The sample size was made up of 23 principals, 92 Head of departments, and 226 students. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from the study and analysed using the descriptive and statistical techniques. The study established that time management greatly influenced students‟ academic performance proving a significant positive correlation with time management. Secondary schools in Makadara Sub County conducted continuous assessment on termly, monthly and weekly basis. The assessments were in the form of test, class work, and project at the end of the topic. The students were organized in groups, whole class and individually. The study further found out that class attendance greatly influenced academic performance. There is a positive correlation between continuous assessment and academic performance. Secondary schools in Makadara Sub County have schools rules which are observed by more than half of the students and punishment administered to the law breakers. Discipline influenced students‟ academic performance to a great extent and had a positive significant effect on academic performance. The teachers informed their students about the content of work in each subject area from the syllabus with moderate syllabus coverage. The strategies adopted included; creation of more time, strict class attendance, topical timetable starting from as early as 6.30 am in Learning Strategies and Academic Performance 56 the morning, afternoon and weekend remedial plus giving outlines to students for self-study. Syllabus coverage very greatly influenced students‟ academic performance and also had a positive correlation with academic performance. Secondary schools in Makadara Sub County attained average performance in KCSE. The study recommends that schools should ensure frequent continuous assessment in order to improve students‟ academic performance. I deliberately chose this topic because I am a teacher by profession and my current station is Aquinas high school in Makadara Sub County. This gave me the advantage of familiarity with topic and ease in collection of data.