Influence of drugs and substance abuse on students performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Igembe North District, Meru County

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to identify the influence of drugs and substance abuse on students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Igembe North District, Meru County. Many potential secondary school students each year fail to be enrolled in tertiary and institutes of higher learning due to poor performance. There is widespread unemployment and increase in criminal activities. This has raised concern because the numbers of young potential students are dropping out of school and mass failing is increasing every year. The objectives of the study were to identify the commonly abused drugs and substances, determine the influence, to find out the efforts of the schools and to identify the strategies to curb the use of drugs and substances among the secondary school students. The study identified factors that influence drugs and substance abuse on students' performance in KCSE in relation to falling standards in secondary education. The research employed a descriptive survey study design as a better option for intervening in the influence of drug and substance abuse on KCSE performance in secondary schools. Out of 25 secondary schools, only 10 secondary schools were sampled. The researcher used questionnaires and interview schedules to collect data. With a target population of 603, simple random sampling and purposive sampling was used to select respondents in these groups namely; Head teachers, Class teachers, students and education officers totaling to 193 respondents. Data was obtained and analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer package to determine the influence of drugs and substance abuse on students' performance in KCSE in Igembe North District, Meru County. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis was used to analyze data collected. Responses from questionnaires, interview schedules were organized according to pertinent aspects of the study. The findings were presented through descriptive statistics by use of frequencies, tables, graphs and pie- charts. After the study it came out clearly that, most students abuse drugs which affect their performance in exams, most abused drugs are miraa, alcohol, kuber, bhang and cigarettes, girls were found to be less involved in drugs. The study recommends that the government to enforce laws to restrict the youth under 18 years not to involve in drugs, introduce guidance and counseling in every school and aggressive sensitization and awareness on effects of drugs. Based on these recommendations, the study proposes further investigation into factors influencing the effectiveness of the information given on drugs and substance abuse to the students in provision of education in Igembe North, Meru County.