ASSESSMENT OF THE STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING RECURRING OVER ENROLMENT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS: A CASE STUDY OF NAMAENYA, SEEYI, AND KAEYA PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SENANGA DISTRICT

Abstract

To promote participation and access to education, the government introduced recurring over which has resulted into over-enrolment which has resulted into poor performance of pupils. The current study sought to assess the strategies for addressing recurring over-enrolment on the academic performance of pupils. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used as tools for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The results of data analysis were presented using frequency distribution tables and bar graphs. The study established that high enrolment trends in primary schools led to overworking the staff members, inadequate teaching and learning facilities, poor sanitation facilities and inadequate classroom. The increased enrolment impacted to a great extent on the quality of learning in public primary schools. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the government puts measures in place to avail facilities that match the pupils’ enrolment. Key Words: Enrolment, Quality of Learning The study assessed the strategies for addressing recurring over enrolment on the academic performance of pupils from Namaenya, Seeyi and Kaeya Primary School in Senanga District. The study adopted the descriptive survey design due to its suitability for describing the state of affairs, as they exist. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to increase participants’ participation. The study targeted 93 respondents of which 15 were teachers, 40 were pupils, and 3 head teachers. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview guides, observation guides and document analysis guides. Quantitative data were coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means, percentages, and frequencies. The data were presented in form of graphs, charts, and tables. Generalizations were formulated. Qualitative data were organized in relation to the themes or research questions and from this information, the researcher then wrote a narrative and interpretive report in order to explain and reflect the situation as it is occurring in the school. The findings of the study are that the strategies of assessing and dealing with recurring over enrolments to have good criteria of grading, put much effort in attendance, and subject pupils to standardized test, co-curricular activities, assessing pupils’ behavior. It has been discovered that, over enrolment is not well assessed dealt with, it leads to indiscipline, lack of dedication to duty Page IVby the teachers, lack of student control, lack of serious studies on the part of students and so on. Over-crowded school environment supports drug part-taking, cultism and all forms of illicit behavior. To overcome over-enrolment from recurring over should be addressed by building more schools to accommodate more pupils.