Influence of Information Service on Academic Performance of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kitui West SubCounty Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

Generally academic performance in entire Kitui County has been low specifically in Kitui West Sub- County this is despite implementation of guidance and counselling services in the Sub-County. The current study sought to investigate influence of information services on academic performance of public secondary school students in Kitui West Sub County, Kitui County. The following objective guided this study to examine influence of information services on academic performance. Person- centred theory formed theoretical framework in this study. A correlational research design was used. The study targeted a population of 7903 who were in form three, 33 principles, 33 heads of guidance and counselling department from 33 public secondary schools in Kitui West Sub- County. Purposive sampling was used to select Kitui West Sub- County in Kitui County. Stratified random sampling was used to group schools into mixed day, mixed day and boarding, boys only boarding and girls only boarding and, mixed boarding schools. Simple random sampling was used to select 400 students. Data was collected using self –administered questionnaires for students and heads of guidance and counselling department while interview schedule was used to collect data from principles. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) software aided in analyzing data. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r) of 0.014 was reached in the test of influence of information service on academic performance The study concluded that information services influenced student’s academic performance. The study recommended that information services should be implemented in all schools’ guidance and counselling programs. This finding of this study may help guidance and counselling teachers, teachers, students, school administration, parents as well as other education policy makers to make use of information service to improve students’ academic performance.