School Security and Academic Self-Concept Among Pupils in Primary Schools in Informal Settlements in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study purposed to investigate the influence of school security on the academic self-concept of pupils in primary schools in informal settlements in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya. The social cognitive theory guided this research. The study employed a survey research design. The target population comprised 138 head teachers, 203 teacher counsellors, and 9536 learners in Class VII, totaling 9877 respondents, from which a sample of 385 respondents was determined using Yamane’s formula. Questionnaires were used to collect data from learners in Class VII, as were interview guides for head teachers and teacher-counsellors. Piloting was conducted among 38 respondents from primary schools in informal settlements in Kibra sub-county to establish validity and reliability. The opinions of educational psychology professionals were used to confirm the study's validity. The split-half method was used to calculate reliability, and the reliability coefficient (r = 0.728; p<0.05) at the 0.05 level of significance revealed a high degree of internal dependability. The tests were carried out at a 0.05 level of significance. Test of the null hypothesis indicated that there was a significant statistical relationship between school security and academic self at r=0.668, p=0.001<0.05. The study concluded that levels of pupils’ academic self-concept in primary schools in informal settlements can be enhanced through provision of adequate school security. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should ensure that primary schools have security guards and fences and should comply with standards for child-friendly school environment. The main beneficiaries of this study will be learners in the primary schools in the informal settlements when the policy makers improve the school environment hence their academic self-concept will be enhanced.