Martha Muiruri is a Development Consultant with extensive experience in Resource Mobilization/Fundraising, Program Management, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity building in the development sector. She has worked with diverse Civil Society Organizations at managerial level steering local partnerships, donor relations, coaching and mentoring local organizations from grass root, national level and international organizations.
She has passionately served the development sector for over 5 years gaining much insight and interest in the industry while transforming lives of the most marginalized communities. Her Social Work and Social Development expertise, coupled with a strong background in Community Psychology has provided the Non-Governmental Organizations she has worked with the much-needed guidance in identifying, owning and solving their own social issues through the process of community engagement.
Further, she has inspired many young people in both structured and non-structured settings to pursue their best potential, gain focus and attain their goals through inspirational coaching and promoting psychosocial health approaches that encompass the mental, emotional, social, and behavioral dimensions supporting the youth regain their true identity and authentic self.
Martha is a University of Nairobi Alumni with a Master of Psychology Degree in Community Psychology, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology, a Diploma in Social Work and Social Development as well as a Certificate in Professional Counseling from Kenya Association of Professional Counseling (KAPC).
She is currently working with the Aga Khan Foundation East Africa as an Institutional Strengthening Coach and Mentor for a joint partnership program with USAID and the Counties to consolidate county development initiatives and efforts.
Abstract
The type of a family a student comes from has a great influence on their psychological, emotional, social and mental state. There is alarming evidence that many students perform poorly at the high school level and those in Dagoretti South are on the decline. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there is any connection between family background and academic achievement among Dagoretti South Sub-County public secondary school students in Nairobi County. The research was designed as a case study that set out to sample the whole target population of 815 students. The sample size of 192 students was drawn from 3 public secondary schools through purposive sampling. The research instruments utilized were the students’ questionnaire, principals’ and parents’ interview guides and the data extraction form from scores in the end term examinations for 3 terms. The quantitative data from the questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS version 21 software while the qualitative data was managed through thematic techniques. The study findings indicated that there was significant association between parent’s marital status and student academic achievement. It also found that there was a significant association between parental attitude to education and students’ academic achievement. Lastly, the findings showed that the size of the family has negative and significant connection with student’s academic achievement. The study concluded that the level of education of parents had an impact on their children’s academic achievement. The study also concluded that parental involvement in the student’s study has a positive impact on their academic achievement. Additionally, the study concluded that a large family deters the ability of students to excel. It recommended that families should be structured on a functionality level to avoid single parenthood if academic achievement has to be attained. It also recommended that guardians should endeavor to be academically sound if they have to influence their children’s academic achievement.
Research Supervisors
Prof. Priscilla Wanjiru Kariuki