Influence of the Head Teachers’ Practices in Curbing Drug and Substance Abuse Among Students in Public Secondary Schools in Mukurweini Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

Drug and substance abuse has continued to ruin school going children and subsequently education despite various measures to stop it. This study aimed at establishing the influence of head teachers’ practices to curb drug and substance abuse among students. The objectives were: to assess the influence of the head teachers’ use of curriculum in curbing drug and substance abuse, to determine the influence of the head teachers’ use of Guidance and Counseling in curbing drug and substance abuse, to assess the influence of the head teachers’ use of school rules and regulations in curbing drug and substance abuse and to establish the extent to which head teachers’ characteristics influence practices of curbing drug and substance abuse in public secondary schools in Mukurwe-ini Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive research design. The target population comprised of 33 public secondary schools, consisting of 33 head teachers, 33 heads of guidance and counseling department and 2260 Form Three and Form Four students. Stratified random sampling was used to select 15 schools and respondents from each stratum. The sample size consisted of 15 head teachers, 15 heads of guidance and counseling and 230 students. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was coded and entered into computer using SPSS, version 20. The study established that; the curriculum contained little content on drug and substance abuse; that guidance and counseling was not being exploited fully to address drug and substance abuse among students, and that school rules were not being fully enforced. The head teachers’ age had a negative influence, gender had a positive influence and academic qualifications had a positive influence on practices used for curbing drug abuse. The study recommends; that the Ministry of Education should organize national workshops aimed at training guidance and counseling teachers; the Teachers Service Commission should identify and deploy qualified guidance and counseling teachers to schools to enhance quality and meaningful counseling to students. Head teachers should; establish drug and substance abuse prevention programs in their schools; they should provide secluded rooms for counseling to enhance privacy; involve students in formulation of school rules and firmly enforce school rules on students; the Kenya Institute of Curriculum and Development should design curriculum to contain content addressing drug abuse.