Correlating Students’ Participation in Music and their Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Abstract

Co-curricular activities, including literary competitions, recreational activities, cultural activities and sports clubs, provide an opportunity to learn and socialize outside the classroom. In Kenya, many resources are allocated to support these activities in schools. However, there is little research on the importance of these activities in enhancing secondary students’ academic performance in KCSE across the country. The purpose of this study therefore, was to assess the influence of student’s participation in music and their academic performance in public secondary schools in Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey design with the target population comprising of 285 public secondary schools. The sample size was selected using the simple random sampling and purposive sampling technique and these were 86 public secondary schools from which 344 students’ representatives, 86 teachers in charge of co-curricular activities and 86 head teachers were reached as respondents of the study. Data from the head teachers and teachers was collected using questionnaires, while that from the students’ representatives was collected by use of interview schedules. Data collected was then analysed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer software for descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages and means) and inferential statistics such as Pearson moment correlation (r); z score analysis. The results were presented using tables and charts, and interpreted accordingly. The study found that participation in music is moderately correlated with students’ academic performance. The findings of this study may be useful in informing the school administration on the benefits arising from students’ participation in music and its relationship with academic achievement.