Influence of head teachers' leadership styles on pupils' discipline in public primary schools in Likoni Division, Kenya

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating in influence of head teachers' leadership styles on pupils' discipline in public primary schools in Likoni Division, Kenya. The problem of indiscipline in schools has been widely been reported allover the country. One of the most affected regions in the Country has been Coastal province. The study had four objectives; To identify common types of discipline problems in public primary schools in Likoni Division, Kenya, to examine causes of institutional and background of indiscipline in the schools, to establish the various leadership style among head teachers of public primary schools in Likoni . division and to determine the extent to which head teachers leadership styles influenced pupils discipline in public primary schools in Likoni Division.

Literature review focused on concept of discipline, nature of indiscipline in schools, common ways of handling discipline, leadership in schools, leadership and pupil discipline in the school setting. This study used Macgregor's Theory X and Y of Motivation Theory. The target population in the study was public primary school in Likoni Division in Kenya. According to the Municipal Education Officer there are 21 schools, consisting of 21 head teachers and 400 teachers. The study used questionnaires and interview to gather data. The researcher used questionnaires to collect data from respondents. Questionnaires were carefully designed instruments consisting of questions and statements.

The study established that the most common indiscipline problems in primary school were truancy and tardiness, absenteeism, drugs abuse, and bullying and fighting. The major causes of indiscipline were lack of guidance and counseling, drugs abuse and addiction, and peer pressure. The study concluded that head teachers were not engaging other stakeholders in handling of discipline matters and also that they were using corporal punishment and expulsion rather than guidance and counseling to handle discipline matters.

The study made recommendation that the head teachers should be encouraged to enhance inclusive and participatory leadership style between various stakeholders' teachers, pupils and parents. This creates a conducive environment for each stakeholder's inputs in a cordial and mutual respect environment without intimidation. Another recommendation was that head teacher should begin use alternative method for disciplining pupils like guidance and counseling rather than use of traditional method of discipline like corporal punishment and expulsion. It was suggested that a study on causes and drug and manifestation in coast province should be conducted. A study on the relationship between school discipline and school performance should also be conducted.