School based factors and their effects on discipline of Secondary School students in Kiambu East District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the school based factors and their influence on discipline of secondary school students in Kiambu East District, Kenya. Discipline is an important component of the teaching learning process and therefore an important aspect of the school system. It is because of this reason that the stake holders in education including the parents, educationists, and the government has been committing resources towards enhancing discipline in secondary schools. The government has particularly been committing a lot of material, technical and expert personnel towards establishing discipline in secondary schools and other institutions of learning. Thus it is important to examine the causes and effects of indiscipline among students with a view minimizing or even eradicating the problem. The objectives of the study were to identify the types of indiscipline that are common III secondary schools in Kiambu East District, to examine the effects of the teachers backgrounds characteristics on discipline in secondary schools in Kiambu East District and to determine the effect of availability of teaching-learning resources on discipline in Kiambu East District. Another objective also included to determine ways in which the availability of physical facilities influence secondary school discipline in Kiambu East District and to suggest possible strategies of curbing indiscipline in secondary schools. The study adopted a descriptive research design. This research design was found suitable because it is favourable to a natural setting like a classroom as compared to a laboratory. It also makes use of flexible and interactive data collection methods like a questionnaire method. A set of three questionnaires method were used as the main data collecting instruments. There was a questionnaire for the headteachers, one for the teachers and one for the students. The data was analysed using through the software package for social sciences (SPSS) Frequencies distribution tables and percentages were used. The research findings indicate that school based factors, (Teachers demographic characteristics, teaching-learning materials and physical facilities) have an effect on discipline in secondary schools, the finding generated following conclusions. That indiscipline is a common problem in secondary schools and that it takes one form or the other. However the common types of indiscipline differ from school to school. This depends on whether it is a boys boarding school, a girls boarding school or a mixed day secondary school. According to the research findings the most common forms of indiscipline in boys boarding secondary schools are noise making, rudeness and vernacular speaking. In girls boarding secondary schools the research found the following forms of indiscipline to be most common, noise making, rudeness, vernacular speaking and work avoidance. According to the study findings the most common forms of indiscipline in mixed day secondary schools are, noise making, absenteeism, vernacular speaking and work avoidance. The research study found that teachers demographic characteristics have an effect on students discipline in secondary schools. According to the findings qualified and experienced teachers are likely to enhance discipline than unqualified and inexperienced teachers. The research also found that older teachers are likely to have positive impact on students discipline this could be because of their experience in dealing with discipline issues. The research findings showed that teaching-learning materials have an influence on discipline; the study suggests that adequate provision of teaching-learning materials could help to enhance discipline in secondary schools. The study showed that physical facilities have an impact on discipline. According to the research findings availability of physical could assist to improve on discipline. For example availability of library, laboratory have an effect on students discipline, therefore recommends adequate provision of these facilities. Generally the study recommends that there is need to enhance students discipline in secondary schools in order to facilitate a conducive learning and teaching atmosphere. The study suggests that the untrained teachers could attend in-service training in order to acquire knowledge and skills on discipline issues. This would assist the teachers in their duties since they play a major role in maintenance of discipline in secondary schools. Trained teachers could also attend short refresher courses on handling discipline. The study recommends that schools be encouraged to replenish the Teaching-learning materials as this can encourage the teaching and learning to take place with little or no interruption, this can reduce chances of indiscipline among the students. On the other hand this could reduce time wastage and idleness and encourage good academic results which on the other hand could encourage good discipline. Finally the study suggests that another study be carried out on effects of indiscipline on school management.