Influence of Student Leaders’ Participation in School Governance on Learners’ Discipline in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Machakos Sub County, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of student leaders’ participation in school governance on learners’ discipline in public and private secondary schools in Machakos Sub County, Kenya. The research objectives included evaluating the influence of students' participation in election of student leaders on Learners' discipline, determining the influence of student leaders' attendance at meetings of the Board of Management in public secondary schools as well as the directors of private secondary schools on learners’ discipline, and assessing the influence of student leaders' active participation in school peer counseling and open forum sessions on learners discipline at public and private secondary schools in Machakos sub county. Literature reviewed point to presence of student councils in both public and private secondary schools but lower integration of student leaders in school administration in the public secondary schools compared to the private secondary schools. The study used a descriptive survey approach and was supported by five hypotheses. The study involved sampling public and private secondary school students, teachers, Deputy Principals, Principals, public school Board of Management (BOM) chairpersons and Directors of private secondary schools. The research implements included questionnaires designed for student and teacher respondents as well as interview schedules for deputy principals, principals, BOM Chairpersons of public secondary schools, and directors of private secondary schools. Additionally, relevant school documents were analyzed to authenticate information provided by the respondents. The data collected was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). The data was tabulated and analyzed using ANOVA and coefficient models for regression. It was established that students’ discipline issues are on the rise in both private and public secondary schools, with the public secondary schools registering higher cases. The findings revealed that active participation of student leaders in open forums was the most influential, followed by student leaders' participation in peer counseling sessions; learners' election of student leaders took the third position and student leader's chairperson participation in BOM and Directors meetings taking the fourth position. The results implied the need for opportunities for learners to express themselves, Students would be more invested in the norms and regulations of their school if they actively participated in the selection of student leaders and the meetings of the BOM/Director, peer counseling sessions, and open forums. As a result, there would be a clear channel of sharing issues and appropriate actions would lead to less instances of indiscipline in the school, the students would feel more comfortable studying, and their academic performance would rise. The study also found that student leaders in both public and private secondary schools played a significant role in maintaining student discipline because adequate introduction and training of student leaders ensures their confidence and effectiveness. The engagement of student leaders in school governance was endorsed by all secondary school respondents, both public and private, with students at public secondary schools pleading for openness and dedication in carrying out the governance of the student leaders’ council. The key informants in both school categories supported student leaders’ participation in school governance. The study recommended Inclusion of students in school governance is a responsibility shared by school administrators and other community members. Students would be more invested in the norms and regulations of their school if they actively participated in the selection of student leaders and the meetings of the BOM/Director, peer counseling sessions, and open forums. As a result, there would be less instances of indiscipline in the school, the students would feel more comfortable studying, and their discipline and academic performance would rise.