Influence of alternative disciplinary measures on students' discipline in public secondary schools in Nyandarua South Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

For any learning to take place discipline of the learners and teachers is quite important. The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of alternative disciplinary measures on students’ discipline in public secondary schools after ban of corporal punishment in Nyandarua south sub-county. The objectives were; to determine how use of guidance and counseling influence students’ discipline in public secondary schools; to establish how suspension of students influence discipline in public secondary schools; to examine the extent to which manual work influences students’ discipline in public secondary schools and to determine the extent to which monetary fines control students discipline in public secondary schools. McGregor’s (1960) Theory X and Y was used as the basis for the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. From a target population of 217 teachers in 24public secondary schools, a sample of 15 principals, 15 deputy principals and 75 teachers was drawn. The District Education Officer also participated in the study. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used as research instruments. Findings indicated that indiscipline cases were still a common phenomenon in public secondary schools. The study also revealed that there were significant relationship between variables such as age, gender, teaching experience and academic qualification of teachers and the alternative disciplinary measures used. The study findings from the principals and deputy principals indicated that; guidance and counseling programme enhance students’ discipline by building courage and moral uprightness thereby inculcating good value and positive attitude toward development of self discipline. The majority of the principals and deputy principals agreed or strongly agreed that manual work is used as an alternative disciplinary measure in secondary schools. Suspension reinforces misbehavior rather than prevent it. Inspite of implementation of alternative disciplinary measures the discipline of students is not improving. The study also revealed guidance and counselling as an alternative disciplinary measure was not effective since it was handled by untrained personnel’s. The study recommended that the ministry of education should sponsor workshops annually to train teachers on alternative disciplinary measures that are not abusive to provide additional instruction to principal and deputy principals regarding the harm of corporal punishment and the alternatives to corporal punishment. Ensure that those conducting guidance and counseling programs for students receive professional training and oversight.