2. What is the influence of human resources on students’ academic achievement across different subjects?
3. What are students’ perceptions regarding the availability and use of school physical facilities and how do
these facilities influence academic performance?
Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will benefit multiple educational stakeholders:
School administrators will gain insights into resource gaps and their impact on academic performance,
enabling informed planning and budgeting.
Teachers will better understand how resource adequacy affects instructional delivery and learner
outcomes.
Students may become more aware of the role of resources in learning, motivating them to utilize available
materials more effectively.
Policy makers and curriculum implementers will obtain evidence that can guide policymaking—
particularly in resource allocation, staffing, and infrastructural investment.
The Ministry of Education can use the findings to evaluate funding structures, staffing norms, and
infrastructural needs in public schools.
Ultimately, improving the availability and utilization of teaching and learning resources can help ensure that
students with strong academic potential achieve success during their secondary schooling.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theoretical Framework
This study was guided by Systems Theory, developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy, which conceptualizes schools
as interconnected systems composed of inputs, processes, and outputs. In the educational context, teaching and
learning resources—including teachers, instructional materials, and school facilities—are considered critical
inputs. These resources influence the learning processes that ultimately shape academic outcomes. Coombs
(1970) emphasizes that for a school system to function effectively, all components must work harmoniously;
deficiencies in one component negatively affect overall performance.
The theory is relevant to this study because public secondary schools in Kenya operate as systems in which
resource availability directly impacts the quality of teaching and learning. When resources such as textbooks or
qualified teachers are inadequate, the instructional process is disrupted, potentially resulting in poor academic
achievement. Therefore, Systems Theory provides a useful lens through which to examine how various resource
categories influence performance among students in Nairobi County.
Human Resources and Student Academic Achievement
Human resources—primarily teachers—form the backbone of the learning process. According to Ayeni (2011),
teacher competence, workload and professional development significantly affect instructional quality and learner
outcomes. Adequate teacher staffing ensures manageable workloads, allowing teachers to offer individualized
support, effective assessment, and timely feedback. Conversely, teacher shortages often lead to overcrowded
classrooms, limited lesson preparation, and rushed curriculum coverage (UNESCO, 2015).
Empirical studies support this link. Musasia et al., (2012) found that inadequate teacher numbers in Kenyan
secondary schools contributed to poor performance in science subjects. Similarly, Adeyemi (2010) established a
positive relationship between teacher quality and students’ academic achievement. Where teachers are well-
trained, motivated and supported with adequate teaching materials, students show greater academic improvement.
In the context of Nairobi County, the increasing enrolment resulting from the 100% transition policy has
intensified teacher shortages, stretching workloads and limiting contact time with learners. This shortage may
explain why some students, despite strong KCPE performance, fail to sustain academic excellence throughout
secondary schooling.