Effect of Withdrawal of Corporal Punishment on Primary School Pupils Academic Performance; A Case of Eldoret West District – Kenya.

Abstract

The theoretical framework of the research study was based on the social learning theory by Albert Bandura which emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. The research aimed at finding out the effect of withdrawal of corporal punishment on academic performance. The study was carried out in Eldoret West District. The objectives of the study were to establish the effect of withdrawal of corporal punishment on student academic performance, to establish the alternative forms of disciplining children in primary schools, to examine the role of school administrators in discipline of children and to ascertain the relationship between student's discipline and academic performance. The study targeted standard six and seven pupils and their teachers and parents. This study targeted 150 primary schools in the two divisions in the district. The target population of the study was 300 pupils, 150 head teachers, 300 teachers and 150 parents. The study sampled 30% of the target population as the sample size and used purposive sampling on headteachers and simple random sampling for the parents, teachers and pupils. The researcher used questionnaires to collect data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings indicate most parents are opposed to the withdrawal of corporal punishment, disobedience and poor performance had increased following this withdrawal of corporal punishment and pupils did not keep the school rules and regulation. Guidance and counseling did not have any effect on discipline in the schools. The findings from this study would be useful by the Ministry of Education in formulation of policies. The school administrators will use the findings in dealing with issues of discipline in schools