Influence of Drug Abuse on the Academic Achievement of Learners in Public Primary Schools in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi City County - Kenya

The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of Drug Abuse on the Academic Achievement of Learners in Public Primary Schools in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi Kenya. The research was anchored on Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1986). A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used for the study. The quantitative approach adopted a cross-sectional survey design, while qualitative approach used phenomenology design. The target population consisted of 25 primary schools, 25 head teachers, 150 teachers, 3,000 students, and one Sub-County Director of Education. The study used simple random sampling to select 8 out of the 25 schools, purposive sampling to select 8 head teachers, and census sampling to include all 150 teachers. Purposive sampling was also used to include the Sub-County Director of Education. Proportionate and simple random sampling was used to select 282 out of the 3,000 students.Data collection tools included questionnaires for teachers and focus group discussion guide for learners. In-depth interview guides were used to collect data from head teachers and the Sub-County Director of Education. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (t-tests and ANOVA) were used to analyze quantitative data with the help of SPSS version 29, and the data was presented in tables. Qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic approach and presented as narratives and direct quotations. The study revealed that Drug abuse negatively affected concentration, motivation, and classroom participation, leading to poor academic outcomes. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education implement policies promoting regular school attendance and drug abuse prevention. Schools should strengthen guidance and counseling, monitor homework completion, and encourage positive discipline. Keywords: Drug Abuse, Academic Achievement, Learners, Public Primary schools