Influence of Administrators’ Practices on Students’ Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Management of discipline is important because it ensures that learners display cceptable behavior and follow set rules and regulations. Discipline helps to create a positive learning environment and smooth running of school activities. Management of pupils’ discipline has continued to be a challenges due to emerging issues like drug abuse by pupils. Research shows that the drug abuse age has gone down to 10 years. Other pupils’ indiscipline behaviours include; fighting, bullying, lateness, absenteeism and drug trafficking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of administrators’ practices on students’ discipline in public secondary schools in Baringo County, Kenya. The objectives were: to establish the extent to which enforcement of rules and regulations influence student discipline; to determine the influence of management of peer pressure on students’ discipline; to examine how the involvement of students in decision-making influences students’ discipline; to establish the extent to which use of social media influences students’ discipline; to determine the extent to which principal mode of communication influence student discipline in secondary schools in Baringo County. The social system theory was employed in understanding social system in schools in Baringo County. The research employed/ applied descriptive survey research design employing stratified random sampling technique. The target population was 121 principals, 974 class teachers and 268 students. Stratified proportionate sampling was used to sample 36 principals 292 teachers and 80 students. The respondents were classified based on school types. Questionnaires were used for data collection from class teachers and students. Interview guide was used to gather data from principals and deputy principals. Reliability was determined through test-retest method and calculated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient resulting in coefficient value of 0.8 for student representative questionnaire and 0.9 for principals and deputy principals and class teachers’ questionnaire. Validity was ensured through discussion with the experts (supervisors) and using questions framed in less ambiguous way. Descriptive statistics like frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyze the quantitative data which was presented in frequency distribution tables. Regression analysis was computed to establish the influence of the relationship of the study variables. The findings showed existence of a positive relationship between the principal mode of communication and students’ discipline (r=0.614; p=0.00). Most of the principals used assemblies to communicate discipline cases to the student. The findings showed a significant relationship between controlling the use of social media information on student discipline (r=0.594; p=0.00). The study also found out that students are not involved in important decision making and this has positive influence on discipline (r=0.753; p=0.00), such as involved in choosing time to study, menu and field trips. Students were partially involved decisions on choice of field trips is partially practiced where most principals chose when to and when not to involve members in decision making. The findings of the study showed that there was significant influence of management of peer pressure on student discipline (r=0.474; p=0.00). Majority of the students said that peer pressure motivates them to enter into relationships, and abuse of substance thus affecting their discipline. Principals should take preventive measures of maintaining student discipline such as ensuring adequate participation of students in decision-making. The school administration should ensure that school’s rules and regulation are visibly displayed on school notice boards and some walls. Principals should actively involve students in the process of formulation of school rules. Students should be sensitized on the role of peer pressure on discipline and decision making. Secondary school management should actively involve students in all decision-making areas under school curriculum. Parents should be engaged positively to stop exposure of students to pornography. The researcher suggests a further study to be done on: the influence of administrators’ practices on the academic performance.