Effects of students' unrest on curriculum implementation in public secondary schools in Kasikeu division, Nzaui district Eastern province, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of students' unrest on curriculum implementation in public secondary schools in Kasikeu Division, Nzaui District. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sample size comprised of 7 headteachers, 42 teachers and 140 students. Sampling techniques used were stratified and simple random. The study used questionnaires for data collection. Qualitative data was done using content analysis and descriptive techniques were used in analyzing quantitative data. Findings revealed that schools experienced various forms of unrest such as arson, fighting, dishonesty, aggression, theft of school properties, disrespect for teachers, refusal to put on school uniforms. Some of the serious forms of unrest were such as arson, strikes, bullying of other students. It was also revealed that some of the causes of the unrest were peer pressure family background, lack of guidance and counseling, congestion in the classrooms, too much class work, inadequate learning materials, teacher incompetent, prefect biasness and influence of the mass media and examination pressures. Findings further revealed school administration and teachers employed various ways in dealing with school unrest which included guidance and counseling, ensuring effective teaching, monitoring behavioral changes and model learners. Based on the findings it was concluded that there were major forms of students' unrest which included minor discipline cases such as nose making, and serious problems such as arsonist activities, refusal to take punishment, fighting, dishonesty, aggression, theft of school properties, disrespect for teachers, refusal to put on school uniforms. It was also recommended that guidance and counseling should be strengthened so as to handle discipline disorders before they develop and become difficult to handle. It was also recommended that school administration should work hand in hand with the community around the school so as to handle cases of indiscipline in and out of school. That school administration needs to open up communications channels so that the students can air their grievances in an open and honest way. This way, unrests will be reduced and hence the effect on syllabus implementation will be minimized.