Teachers' perception of counseling as an alternative pupil disciplinary approach in public primary schools in Westlands district, Kenya

Abstract

The approach to discipline in Kenya's primary schools has recently changed from punishment of pupils to education and counselling programmes. These changes have consequently begun la change the teachers' role from a purely teaching role to a human service role, in which teachers are expected to manage the counselling programmes. Previously in the school organisation system, a teacher and mostly the deputy head teacher was assigned the role of a disciplinarian. The teachers' perception of counselling is crucial in the realization of this function. The main purpose of the study was therefore, to establish the perception of teachers about counselling as an alternative disciplinary approach in public primary schools. The study results may provide vital information for teachers, school counsellors, and teacher training colleges, universities, educationists and Ministry of Education on how to improve the programme of counselling in primary schools. The work of school administrators will be made easier because problems can be solved earlier through counselling instead of waiting until there is unrest this is based on the findings. The study utilized a descriptive survey design to assess the research variables and present a description. The target population consisted of all the teaching staff of public primary schools in Westlands district. The sample for this study consisted of 21 public primary schools. 21 head teachers, one from each of the sampled schools while 18 teachers as well as 21 counsellors were sampled. The data was collected using three sets of questionnaires. One for the head teachers, the other one for the teachers and the final one for counsellors. The results were coded and analysed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to analyse data. The major findings of the study were that the gender, age, teaching experience and the level of education of the head teachers, teachers and counsellors in public primary school influence their perception of counselling as an alternative pupil disciplinary approach.