Influence of Teacher Academic Qualification on Pupils’ Performance at Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examination in English subject in Kenya

Abstract

Teacher academic qualification is repository of competencies and knowledge skills acquired through a learning process in an academy. In the realm of English language as a subject, teacher academic qualification is an indicator of the level of mastery of literacy and competency skills which a teacher is known to have acquired and certified by recognized Examinations body. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of teacher academic qualification on learner performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (KCPE) in English subject in public primary schools in Kenya. The study used descriptive research design and purposive sampling for all inclusive and representative population sample with regard to distribution and categories of schools in Machakos County as its method for research. Unit of analysis was Public primary schools in Machakos County. Respondents were Primary school teachers with teacher academic qualificationsat various certificate levels and who teach English subject in KCPE exam classes. The sample size was 132 academically qualified teachers. Data collection was done through questionnaires.The study found Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination candidates taught by teachers with Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) certificates (Primary I teachers; at 19.7 % sample proportion)with Credit Passachieved Learner Mean score of 47.13 % in English subject.Teachers with KCSE certificates with Credit Pass and Kenya Advanced Certificate Examination (KACE) certificates with Passplus Diploma in Arts certificates (at 25.8 % sample proportion) achieved Learner Mean score of 48.03 % in English subject.Teachers with KCSE certificates with Credit Pass and KACE certificates with Pass plus Diploma in Sciencecertificates (at 10.6 % sample proportion) achieved Learner Mean score of 47.37 % in English subject. Lastly, teachers with KCSE with Credit Pass and KACE with Pass andwho also hold Diploma in Arts certificates with Pass and University Bachelor’s Degree certificates (Primary Graduate teachers; at 42.4 %) achieved Learner Mean score of 58.05 % in English subject. There is a significant increase in Learner mean score by candidates taught by Undergraduate teachers probably as a result oftheir high self-efficacy in Classes and a reduction in Learnerindiscipline and self-belief contributing to effective teaching and learning whose product is enhanced Learner performance at Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination.The study concluded that teacher academic qualification significantly influences pupils’ performance at Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination in English subject in Kenya. Finally, this study recommends that only teachers with good academic qualification in subjectstaught at appropriate school learning levels with repository competencies and pedagogical skills acquired in the course of academic learning and professional training be deployed to teach English subject in schools for enhanced learner performance.