School based factors influencing students discipline in public secondary schools in Kitui central Subcounty, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the school-based factors that influence the discipline of secondary school students in Kitui Central Sub-county in Kitui County. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the extent to which administration of school rules and regulations by teachers influence students discipline, to determine the extent to which administration of punishments by teachers influence students discipline, to examine the extent to which peer pressure influence discipline of students and to establish the extent to which teachers’ absenteeism due to drunkenness influences students’ discipline in public secondary schools. This study employed a descriptive survey research design. The target population of this study consisted of all the 29 public secondary schools in Kitui Central Sub-county. For the purpose of this study, the sample size was drawn from all the twenty nine public secondary schools in the sub-county comprising 29 principals, 75 teachers which translates to 50 percentage of the teacher population; 300 students translating to 20 percent of student’s population. This study utilized a questionnaire and an interview guide to collect primary data as used in various previous research projects. Data analysis used SPSS version 22 and Microsoft Excels to generate quantitative reports through tabulations, percentages, and measures of central tendency. Tables were used to present responses and facilitate comparison. Qualitative data was analyzed using narratives statements based on the relevant thematic areas and the findings given in prose form. The study concludes that head teachers still have a challenge of students who are not aware of the school rules and regulations much as they are given copies and therefore violet them. Many of the students do not take time to read and apply the schools rules and regulations. Students believe that many of their friends have fallen victims, which students believe to be weaknesses from school administrators. Students therefore feel unsatisfied with school judgments in accordance with violated school rules and regulations, which lead to violence in schools affecting student’s discipline. With regards to peer pressure the study concludes that students in school belong to peer groups which exert great influence on their activities, interests, discipline and academic success. The study therefore recommends that School rules and regulations need to be emphasized and given enough awareness so as to enable students understand them. The principal should design proper ways of handling punishments. Disciplinary committees therefore need to be installed in schools that they are not in existence and to be respected in terms of decision-making and be given powers and authority to execute their duties. The school administration needs to come up with timetables or regular time intervals to need to provide time for counseling and guidance to students so as to prevent occurrence of offences than punishing the offenders.