Library Resources as Predictor of Students’ Learning Outcomes in Physics at Secondary Schools in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects play a critical role in a country’s socio-economic development. Low learning outcomes in Physics mean that students cannot participate positively towards the economic development of the country. Teaching and learning resources including library resources, can help improve students’ learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the management of library resources and students’ academic achievement in Physics at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The study utilised quantitative methods, specifically descriptive research design, where questionnaires and documentary analysis served as instruments of data collection. The respondents of the study were 268 students, 24 teachers and 24 library assistants. Data was analysed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings were presented using tables, figures, and thematic discussions. The findings of the study indicated that the management of library resources had a statically significant effect on student’s academic achievement in Physics. The number of students who sat in the library at once had a statistically significant effect on students’ academic performance at KCSE examinations (β=0.616, p<0.05), and the number of reference books a student was able to access in the school library also had a positive effect on students’ academic performance (β=0.203, p<0.05). The number of times a student went to the school library in the past week to study Physics without the assistance of the librarian had a significant effect on students’ academic performance. (β=0.0.029, p<0.05) while the number of different Physics textbooks that a student was able to access in the library revealed a positive effect on students’ academic achievement (β=0.203, p=0.05). Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that library resources were a significant predictor of student’s academic achievement in Physics at the KCSE examination. From the foregoing conclusion, the study recommended that school boards of management and other stakeholders should focus on improving the management of library resources for enhanced students’ academic achievement in Physics at the KCSE examination.