Influence of Principals’ Selected Management Practices on Students’ Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

Discipline is a pivotal element in the smooth operation of organizations whether public or private. In light of the foregoing the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of principal’s selected management practices on students’ discipline in public secondary schools in Kitui County, Kenya. The following objectives guided the study; To establish the influence of principals’ involvement of students in decision-making on students’ discipline, to examine the influence of principals’ sensitization of students on school culture on students’ discipline; to determine the influence of principals’ information sharing with student leaders on students’ discipline; to establish the influence of information sharing through structuring of school vision on students’ discipline and to establish the influence of principals supervisory of school activities on students’ discipline in public secondary schools in Kitui County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Situational Theory of leadership by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard. The theory states that effective leadership is contingent upon the situation at hand. The study used Mixed Method research design with a target population of 369 secondary school principals, 369 deputy principals and 76071 students from 369 secondary schools in Kitui County. From the target population, a sample of 112 principals, 112 deputy principals and 448 students were sampled. Principals and deputy principals were purposively sampled while Stratified proportionate sampling was used to sample students. Questionnaires for students and deputy principals and an interview guide for the principals were used to get data. The return rate was 112 principals (100%), 82 deputy principals, (73.2%) and 443 students (98.9%) The questionnaires were validated by aligning the questions with the objectives, pretesting using pilot group and expert judgement by supervisors. Test-rest method was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaires that gave a coefficient of 0.75 for students and 0.8 for the deputy principals hence were found to be reliable. A research permit was provided by NACOSTI and this was presented to the County Director of Education Kitui to grant permission to visit the schools. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used. Majority of the students and deputy principals agreed that the students were involved in decision making to enhance discipline in school. Majority of the students and deputy principals agreed that information sharing by the school administrators helped in maintaining school discipline. There was concurrence from majority of the students and Deputy Principals checked attendance registers and attended to discipline related issues; which largely reduced the number of reported indiscipline cases. Principals were also reported to have been keen on providing feedback on reported cases of indiscipline. The vast majority of the Deputy Principals indicated that students were involved in critical decisions such as the crafting of the school vision, mission and on matters that directly affected the students; thereby reducing cases of reported indiscipline. The study concluded that principals involved students in decision making, structuring of a school vision, sensitized students on school culture, shared information and supervised activities that enabled students to improve their discipline in school. The school culture of receiving and giving feedback allowed principals to issue clear directions on issues concerning discipline. The students participated in drawing the school vision hence they owned the process and this enhanced discipline within the school. The study recommends that there is need for principals to continue involving students in decision making especially on matters affecting them and share information to ensure students are aware of what is expected of them.