Influence of Management of Peer Support during Remedial Teaching on Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Mwala Sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya

Martin Mutisya Masai & Anne Muiru
School of Education
Mount Kenya University
Email: greatmartinthe2@gmail.com/ amuiru@kyu.ac.ke

Abstract: Peer support among students during remedial teaching plays a key role in students’ academic performance in schools. However, in Mwala Sub-county, many public secondary schools are registering low academic grades in examinations. This study examined the influence of peer support during remedial teaching on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools. The constructivist theory and the academic achievement theory guided the study. The study adopted a mixed methodology and a concurrent triangulation research design. The target population comprised 1,040 respondents, including 65 principals and 975 teachers, from which a sample of 288 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. This comprised a sample of 16 principals and 272 teachers. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the objectives and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25) and presented using tables. The study found that many students register low academic performance in KCSE. This is partly attributed to peer support during remedial teaching programmes. The study has found that, despite teachers undertaking these programmes, it has not led to improved students’ academic performance. Thus, teachers should encourage structured peer tutoring and collaborative learning during remedial lessons to enhance student understanding and motivation. As a policy, the Ministry of Education should establish a clear and standardized policy that guides the planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of remedial teaching programmes in public secondary schools.