Tourism Related Socio-Economic Activities and Pupils Academic Performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education: In Narok West Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Tourism related practices have been taking place across the world at all tourists’ attraction points as it is a resource for economic and social benefits. Tourism visitors’ interaction with parents, teachers and pupils was expected to have a negative influence on pupils’ academic performance in KCPE in Narok West Sub County. The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of tourism related socio-economic activities on pupils academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in Narok West Sub County. The study used descriptive survey research design. There are 81 public pry schools doing KCPE in Narok West Sub County with a total population of 1,720 class 8 pupils. A sample of 30 percent of both the schools and class 8 pupils was purposively and randomly selected respectively to get 24 public pry Schools with a population of 587 class eight pupils who were further subjected into a selection of 176 pupils, 24 head teachers and 24 BOM Chairpersons to make a total of 224 respondents who were selected to participate in the study. The study used pupils, teachers and pupils questionnaires and interview schedules for teachers, and parents to collect data. Descriptive statistics was used. The results showed that poor pupils’ academic performance in KCPE was attributed to social issues brought about by tourism activities such as indiscipline, substance abuse, pregnancy, perceived gender roles, family breakups and lack of interest in school. The results implied that besides the benefits of tourism in improving the livelihoods of the communities through employment, purchase of their artwork and other economic support benefits, tourism activities have many challenges that influence the social well-being of the community and hence it affects the academic performance of the learners who are unable to complete schooling or take school seriously because of the handouts they get from the tourists. It was found that most pupils follow tourists and engage in various activities for the purpose of getting money to support themselves and their families. The researcher established that there was influence of tourism related socio-economic activities on pupils academic performance in Narok West Sub County therefore, the researcher recommends that the schools board of management (BOM) committees to address tourism related socio-economic barriers to education by ensuring that pupils, teachers and parents are sensitized on the impact of tourism interaction on pupils academic performance. The study also recommends, the schools BOMs should enhance guidance and counseling in their schools so as to address the tourism related socioeconomic challenges facing the pupils such as absenteeism from attending learning lessons as a result of child labor. This will increase pupils’ participation in school thereby enhancing their academic performance.