Causes of indiscipline amongst secondary school students: a case of Murang'a District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of students indiscipline amongst secondary school students in Murang'a district of Central Province. The rationale of the study was based on the belief that discipline is a very important component of humane living. Since no man is an island, each one will need and have the influence of the other members in society. Therefore discipline is highly needed if people are to stay and work together harmoniously.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the causes if indisciplined behaviour amongst the students in secondary schools. These indiscipline cases more often than not led to violent strikes, demonstrations, riots and class boycotts. The causes were thought to emanate from all stake holders how influence the lives of the secondary school students including the school principals, the members of the School Boards, the teachers, the parents, the prefects, the peers and the surrounding school community.

The other purpose of the research was to get the recommendations from the various stakeholders on how life in secondary school can be improved to curb the indisciplines. The target population was all the principals, students, teachers, B.o.G members, and parents of secondary school students in Murang'a district. The sample population was one school in every type of school in Murang'a district i.e girls boarding, boys boarding, mixed day and boarding, mixed boarding and mixed day. The sample included public schools only leaving the private secondary schools and all primary schools in the district.

The principals, the students, the Board Members and the parents of the sampled schools were involved in the research. All the principals were included apart from two who refused to fill in the questionnaire claiming that they could not divulge their personal data. Students in their schools were also excluded in the research lowering the number sample of schools from 18-16. Five students in each class were randomly selected and B.o.G members were purposely selected. The study used questionnaires and interviews to solicit and collect information from the respondents. There was a questionnaire for school principals and one for the students. The interview schedule was used to get information from the B.o.G members. The questionnaires contained both open-ended and closed-ended questions.

The data collected was from primary sources through the use of questionnaires and the interview guides. Secondary data was collected from both published and unpublished material. The data was both quantitative and qualitative. It was presented quantitatively in the form of simple tables, frequencies, percentages and simple ratios.

From the data gathered, it was concluded that indiscipline amongst secondary school students in Murang'a district were no longer as a result of inadequate resources like food and teachers as has been the case before. Factors liked rug abuse and devil worship as causes of indiscipline were also ruled out as drug abuse was being phased out as a result of guidance and counselling. However, factors like poor leadership where students were not involved in decision making. Poor interpersonal relationships inadequate guidance and counselling. Poor school community relationships and the evils and changes in society were key in influencing students discipline.

The study therefore came up with a number of recommendations among them being the need to involve all the stakeholders in decision making. This would also encourage good working relationships where all stakeholders would work together towards common goal without many conflicts. This would include even the wider society where leaders would act like good role models through proper dialogue to solve problems as opposed to engaging violence, demonstrations and strikes