Challenges facing school administrators in enfocing students' discipline in public secondary schools in Yatta District, Machakos County.

Abstract

Indiscipline in schools is a global problem and in Kenya in particular. The rise in indiscipline has been observed in secondary schools since the introduction of new policies of discipline and the ban on corporal punishment. Yatta district has also been rocked with school indiscipline including violent riots. This study aimed at finding out the challenges faced by secondary school administrators in enforcing discipline among students. The objectives of the study were: To find out the various methods used by the school administrators to enforce students’ discipline; to find out the extent to which school administration involve students in maintaining discipline in the school; to solicit views of the secondary school administrators on the various causes of students indiscipline in Yatta district; to find out the challenges faced by secondary school administrators in implementation of policies regarding discipline enforcement. The researcher adopted descriptive survey in which data was collected using questionnaires, observation guides, check list and interview schedules. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and displayed in form of charts and tables. The study drew from contingency theory of leadership effectiveness by Fieldler (1922). Sixty three secondary school administrators were interviewed. The study found out that punishments, discussing with parents, guidance and counseling, use of clubs and societies and suspension of students from school were among the most frequently used methods in enforcing school discipline. School administrators involved students in discipline enforcement in ways like; making school rules and regulations, selection of prefects, peer counseling, holding students’ barazas, using leaders of clubs and societies for guidance and counseling and empowering prefects to enforce discipline in absence of teachers. The major challenges found to be facing administrators were lack of cooperation from parents, lack of cooperation from students, lack of support of the school administration from the local community and poor implementation of the discipline policy by the government. The various common causes of indiscipline included; poverty, peer influence, discipline policy conflict, poor upbringing, community influence and low entry behaviour of students. Thus it is recommended that the government get involved in discipline enforcement such as empowering school administrators by reviewing discipline related policies, facilitating awareness meetings for parents on school discipline and considering full sponsorship for those students from poor families.