Factors contributing to absenteeism among secondary school students during Christian religious education lessons. A case of selected public secondary schools in Keumbu division, Kisii County

Abstract

Performance in CRE by students has been poor (Agarib,2006). This study sought to investigate the factors leading to secondary school students’ absenteeism during CRE lessons. Further, the study sought to establish the factors that contribute to students’ absenteeism during CRE lessons. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study which targeted a population of 520 respondents which comprised of 240 CRE students, 45 teachers, 15 head teachers and 240 parents of which 20% in each case was used as a sample size. The data for the research was collected using questionnaires for all categories. Stratified and random sampling procedures were used. The study took place in Keumbu division, Kisii County; this is because this is the area affected by students’ absenteeism during CRE lessons and it is home to one of Kenya’s largest and busiest temporary market centres.. The Division comprises three educational zones with 15 secondary schools namely; Amasago, Birongo, Boruma, Gianchere, Ibeno, Irondi, Irungu, Keoke, Kirwa, Nyabiosi, Nyamware, Nyansira, Riondong’a, Taracha and Torori. The findings showed that there are a number of factors that lead to student absenteeism during CRE lessons and some of them included: teachers nonattendance of lessons, teachers’ poor teaching methods especially lecture method which is passive, lack of motivation from parents and teachers as a whole, just to mention a few. Ultimately the study concludes that all contributing factors leading to student absenteeism during CRE lessons contribute a lot to poor performance in this subject; and for this reasons, the government should try its best to provide human resources needed, teaching materials, motivation from teachers and parents and above all guidance and counselling to be conducted by teachers to change the negative attribute towards the subject.