Effect Of Private Primary School Background On Students\' Performance And Perception Of Learning Environment In Public Secondary Schools: A Case Of Nyandarua District, Kenya

Abstract

With less than 50% of the graduates from Kenya\'s primary schools gaining access to secondary school due to limited places at this level of education, a stiff competition exists to secure places in good public secondary schools. Because the end of primary school examination is the key determinant of entry into such schools, the society exerts extreme pressure on pupils to excel. Private investors have joined the fray by establishing primary schools which do everything to ensure good performance and attract more clients. Private primary schools constitute only 10 % of the primary school population, yet take up 60% of all the positions in prime public secondary schools. This study investigated the academic achievement and perception of learning environment of private and public primary school graduates in public secondary schools. A survey of a random sample of 860 graduates admitted into public secondary schools was carried out. Results from paired t-tests indicated that public primary school graduates had a statistically significant KCSE examination mean score and that of perception of public secondary school learning environment, as compared to those from private primary schools. Results indicated the existence of factors in public secondary schools impacting negatively on private primary school graduates. It is recommended that measures be put into place to enable these graduates cope with learning environment in public secondary schools. Keywords: Private Primary School Background, Performance, Learning Environment Journal of Technology and Education in Nigeria Vol. 10 (1) 2005: pp. 46-54