School based factors influencing pupils’ discipline in complimentary primary schools in Makadara Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate school based factors influencing pupils’ discipline in complimentary primary schools in Makadara Sub-County, Kenya. The objectives of the study included how to establish the extent to which head teacher discipline management skills influences pupils’ discipline in complimentary primary schools in Makadara Sub-County Kenya, to determine how teachers training affects pupils’ discipline in complimentary primary schools in Makadara Sub-County Kenya, to establish how peer pressure influence pupils’ discipline in complimentary primary schools in Makadara Sub-County Kenya, and to establish the extent to which drug abuse impacts pupils’ discipline in complimentary primary schools in Makadara SubCounty Kenya. This study adopted the descriptive survey design where the target population for this study was 17 complimentary primary schools head teachers and 270 teachers, 204 primary school pupils’ leaders and one DQASO. On sampling seven head teachers were purposively sampled while a total of 42 teachers and 28 pupil leaders were sampled from the same schools. To collect data, a set of semi-structured questionnaires were used and an interview guide were used. Before the actual data collection, piloting of questionnaires and the interview guide were done on two secondary schools in Makadara Sub-County. To establish the reliability of the instrument, the researcher used the test-retest where the second test administration was done one week after the first one. From the study it can be concluded that concluded that head teachers don’t organize for pupils counselling seminars/ training on discipline - on areas of peer pressure, drug abuse. Teachers were unable to cope with the high level of absenteeism in class which affected the classes at a great extent, there is also a high disruptive behaviour in classes. In addition most teachers have never attended an in service training / class room management training workshops and seminars. Peer pressure had a great impact on school discipline and that friends in the same group broke the school rules to a great extent. The study indicated that that drug abuse had an enormous effect on complimentary school discipline in the Sub-County, drug abuse had a significant effect on the pupils’ physical health in school hence affecting their ability to learn. The researcher therefore recommends that the head teacher need to hold seminars in schools especially on guidance and counselling, - peer pressure on a regular basis. The head teacher need to actively involve parents and other stake holders in the discipline management. He should also involve the discipline committee in monitoring the surroundings and the compound so as to control illegal drug abuse activities. The teachers need to attend seminars and workshops to be trained on discipline and classroom management. The pupils need to be counselled and peer education provided so as to enable them concentrate in class and manage peer pressure. The researcher suggests the following areas for further study, given the scope and limitations of this study that the study should be carried again in some other sub counties for comparative purpose.