http://repository.must.ac.ke:8080 The digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. Fri, 15 May 2026 16:23:49 GMT 2026-05-15T16:23:49Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1631 Effects of Principals’ Organization of Mathematics Contests on Students’ Performance in Mathematics in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations in Meru County Kirikua, Thiharu Maingi Performance of candidates in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Mathematics in Meru County of Kenya from 2012 to 2016 has consistently been deteriorating. This has called for this study so as to establish whether this trend has anything to do with organization or otherwise of external Mathematics contests in secondary schools of Meru County of Kenya. The study adopted ex post facto design because the effects of independent variable on dependent variable had already occurred. Research instruments were Mathematics teachers’ questionnaire, and Principals’ interview guide. The target population was 299 principals and 836 Mathematics teachers in the County. This study used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The sample size was 30% of the total target population. It was established that most principals did not organize Mathematics contests, to the detriment of performance of their KCSE candidates. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1631 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1630 To Examine the Effects of the Principals’ Invitation of Mathematics Specialists on Students’ Performance in Mathematics in KCSE Examination in Meru County, Kenya Kirikua, Thiharu Maingi Performance in Mathematics in Meru County, Kenya from 2012 to 2016 has consistently been deteriorating. The purpose of this study was an evaluation of how the administrative strategies designed by the principals affected students’ performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in Meru County. Objectives that directed the study were to evaluate the various attributes on student performance in KCSE examination in Meru County. The objective was to evaluate the effects of Principal’s invitation of Mathematics specialists and students’ performance, in mathematics. This study used ex post facto design. The research instrument was Mathematics teachers’ questionnaire, KCSE document analysis for five years in Meru County and Principal’s interview guide. The target population was 299 principals and 836 Mathematics teachers in the County. This study used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The sample size was 30% of the total target population translating to 92 principals and 251 Mathematics teachers. Validity was ensured by piloting the instrument. Reliability was ensured by using split half technique. From the findings, majority of Mathematics teachers and principals claimed that they invited Mathematics specialists, team teaching and peer teaching specialists to their schools. However, most of the invitations were done only once a year. Chisquare results showed that invitation of Mathematics specialists (p 0.021), team teaching (p 0.006), peer teaching specialists (p 0.048) and others (p 0.034) all had a significant effects on how students performed. The study recommends that principals should invite more than one Mathematics specialist to their schools to ensure that Mathematics teachers and students are adequately exposed to different kinds of skills and strategies on Mathematics performance in K.C.S.E examination. Principals should also increase the frequency of inviting the external support staff from annually to one or twice per term to ensure that the skills and strategies imparted are reinforced to become a routine practice for the Mathematics teachers and the students. The findings of the study were expected to be useful to the Ministry of Education, teachers and students as well as other stakeholders in the education sector. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1630 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1629 To Establish the Effects of Principals’ Support to Teachers Through Mathematics Seminars/Workshop on Student’ Performance in Mathematics in Kcse Examination in Meru County, Kenya. Kirikua, Thiharu Maingi Performance in Mathematics in Meru County, Kenya from 2012 to 2016 has consistently been deteriorating. The purpose of this study was an evaluation of how the administrative strategies designed by the principals affected students’ performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in Meru County. Objectives that directed the study were to evaluate the various attributes on student performance in KCSE examination in Meru County. The objective was to evaluate principal’s support to teachers through Mathematics seminars/workshops and student’s performance in Mathematics. This study used ex post facto design. The research instrument was Mathematics teachers’ questionnaire, KCSE document analysis for five years in Meru County and Principal’s interview guide. The target population was 299 principals and 836 Mathematics teachers in the County. This study used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The sample size was 30% of the total target population translating to 92 principals and 251 Mathematics teachers. Validity was ensured by piloting the instrument. Reliability was ensured by using split half technique. The findings revealed that principals were not sponsoring Mathematics teachers to attend workshops and seminars. The principals cited a lack of resources and budgetary allocation to the low number of Mathematics teachers attending seminars and workshops. The findings of the study were expected to be useful to the Ministry of Education, teachers and students as well as other stakeholders in the education sector. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1629 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1628 Factors Influencing Adoption of Sanitation Systems in Rural Communities: Case of Tharaka-North Subcounty, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya Mugendi, Edwin Muthoni The purpose of the study was to evaluate the variables impacting the adoption of sanitation systems in rural communities of Tharaka-North Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study's objectives were to assess how social-cultural factors, economic factors and sanitation technologies affect the adoption of sanitation systems. A convergent mixed methods design was used in the study, which collected both qualitative and quantitative data at the same time. 13 participants in a focus group who were purposely selected were used to provide qualitative data through the use of an interview guide. In order to determine the link between the variables, the quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 which produced descriptive and inferential statistics. According to the findings, 86% of the inhabitants used pit latrines , some of which lacked slabs and roofs. Additionally, 15% of the households defecated in public, 17% had salaried jobs , and 10% had no jobs. The household income influenced adoption of sanitation systems with a mean of 4.9271 while employment status influenced adoption of sanitation systems with a mean of 4.1146. This economic disparity impacted sanitation access with only 9% of the respondents able to afford ventilated improved pit latrines. The target population of the study was 58,345 people. The sample size was 388 household heads. Cluster sampling, simple random and proportionate random sampling were the sampling techniques employed in the study. Appropriate confirmation of data collection instruments was conducted by characteristics qualified experts before data collection took place. A reliability test using Cronbach’s alpha was carried to ascertain whether that data set was fit for analysis within the acceptable threshold. According to the findings, Public Health Officers should train masons to promote acceptable sanitation technology designs for usage in rural communities. Gender inequality should be taken into account while developing sanitation systems regulations. In public and health practices, the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) strategy should focus on open defecation and encourage locals to embrace appropriately designed sanitation facilities, systems and technologies. The study also recommends the need to educate each other on the need to educate each other on the need for the adoption of improved sanitation technologies such septic tanks to increase awareness of safe sanitation systems and adaptability. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1628 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z