Influence of Fishing Activities on School Attendance, Dropout and Academic Performance among Students in Lamu East Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of fishing activities on school attendance, dropout and academic performance among secondary school students in Lamu East Sub County. Conflict Theory by Karl Max et al. (2005) anchored this study. Mixed research methodology was employed in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The researcher employed correlation research design. Target population was 5 public secondary schools with 1200 students because most of these schools have been performing below average in academics. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 4 public day secondary schools and boarding schools. Simple random sampling was used to obtain the students in each school to participate in the study. The sample size consisted of 4 day secondary schools representing 80%, 60 boys and 80 girls who represented 11% and 12% respectively. Data analysis involved the use of two statistical methods; descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS program Version 23. The results showed that fishing activities and school attendance were negatively and significantly correlated, r(121) = -.175, P=.004. Fishing activities and school dropout were positively and significantly correlated at, r (121) = .510, p =.00. Academic performance and fishing activities were negatively and significantly correlated r (121) = -.16, p =.03. The study recommends that policy makers and education stakeholders should come up with measures that will limit student involvement in fishing activities to increase their participation in academic activities and improve their academic performance.