ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to examine the perception of pupils and teachers on the cause of poor academic performance among the pupils within ntugi zone Tharaka district Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; To determine the perception of teachers and pupils on poor academic performance, to determine the perception of pupils on teachers qualification and student’s poor academic performances, To determine the perception of teachers on pupils poor academic performance and teachers methods of teaching, to determine the pupils perception on their poor academic performance and teachers methods of teaching, to determine the teachers perception on pupils school environment and pupil’s poor performance, to determine pupil’s perception on school environment and poor academic performance, to determine the teacher’s perception on pupils home environment and pupils academic performance and to determine the pupil perception on their home environment and performance. The methods of data collection were questionnaires and interviews. The response of teachers showed that teachers’ qualifications and pupils’ school and home environment influence academic performance. Pupil’s response on the other hand showed that teachers’ qualification, teaching methods, pupils’ home and school environment and learning materials influence their academic performance. The implications of these findings will help primary school teachers and parents on the improvement of the academic performance.