The Influence of Perceived Post Election Violence on Academic Performance among Secondary School Students in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Education is a driving force for any nation‟s development. Good academic performance of students has drawn the attention of the government, educationists, teachers, administrators, researchers and even students. Academic achievement or performance is the output of education, the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved the educational goals. Violence interrupts learning, may destroy learning resources, may destroy people and may give rise to untold miseries. In 2008, Kenya experienced post-election violence (PEV) and Nakuru County was one of the areas affected by this violence. The post election violence claimed about 1200 lives, maimed others and about 350,000 were displaced. The secondary school students were not spared either, some schools were destroyed and others closed down. The study investigated the influence of perceived post election violence on academic performance among secondary school students in Nakuru County in Kenya. The study adapted ex post-facto correlational research design. Njoro, Molo and Kuresoi were some of the districts adversely affected by post election violence. The study recommended the need to enhance capacity building programmes in secondary schools through organizations of workshops, seminars, and inviting guest speakers to increase students‟ motivation in academic performance.