Effects of students' unrest on curriculum implementation in public secondary schools in Kasikeu division, Nzaui district Eastern province, Kenya
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of students' unrest on
curriculum implementation in public secondary schools in Kasikeu Division,
Nzaui District. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study.
The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sample size comprised of
7 headteachers, 42 teachers and 140 students. Sampling techniques used were
stratified and simple random. The study used questionnaires for data
collection.
Qualitative data was done using content analysis and descriptive techniques
were used in analyzing quantitative data. Findings revealed that schools
experienced various forms of unrest such as arson, fighting, dishonesty,
aggression, theft of school properties, disrespect for teachers, refusal to put on
school uniforms. Some of the serious forms of unrest were such as arson,
strikes, bullying of other students.
It was also revealed that some of the causes of the unrest were peer pressure
family background, lack of guidance and counseling, congestion in the
classrooms, too much class work, inadequate learning materials, teacher
incompetent, prefect biasness and influence of the mass media and
examination pressures. Findings further revealed school administration and
teachers employed various ways in dealing with school unrest which included
guidance and counseling, ensuring effective teaching, monitoring behavioral
changes and model learners.
Based on the findings it was concluded that there were major forms of
students' unrest which included minor discipline cases such as nose making,
and serious problems such as arsonist activities, refusal to take punishment,
fighting, dishonesty, aggression, theft of school properties, disrespect for
teachers, refusal to put on school uniforms.
It was also recommended that guidance and counseling should be strengthened
so as to handle discipline disorders before they develop and become difficult
to handle.
It was also recommended that school administration should work hand in hand
with the community around the school so as to handle cases of indiscipline in
and out of school. That school administration needs to open up
communications channels so that the students can air their grievances in an
open and honest way. This way, unrests will be reduced and hence the effect
on syllabus implementation will be minimized.
Publisher
Department of Education, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Education in Curriculum Studies