Publication: Drug Abuse And Its Effect on Learning in Secondary Schools in Gatundu South Division.
Total Views 0
total viewsTotal Downloads 6
total downloadsDate
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mount Kenya University
Cite this Item
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate into drug abuse and its effects on learning
in secondary schools in Gatundu South Division and the possible solutions to these challenges.
Out of the twenty seven (27) secondary schools in the Division, nine (9) were purposively
sampled. This represents 30% of the schools in this division. Out of the nine (9) schools, one (1)
is girls boarding, one (1) is boys boarding, three (3) are mixed day schools, three (3) are mixed
day and boarding and one (1) is private. Each school provided a total of forty (40) respondents,
ten (10) students from each form, the deputy head teacher and one (1) teacher for guidance and
counselling. Three hundred and sixty (360) students were randomly selected and nine (9)
deputies and nine (9) teachers purposively sampled because they were from the same schools to
facilitate consistency in the research process. Three objectives were covered in the study. One
self-report questionnaire with both closed and open ended questions were administered to each
student and teacher counsellors. Students’ questionnaires were filled and collected, there and
then. Teacher’s questionnaires were given a day before and collected on the day when students
were filling theirs. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and analyzed quantitatively. The
results were presented in frequency distribution and percentages. Data analysis was carried out
using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) utilizing descriptive and statistical
analysis procedures. Descriptive statistics used included frequency and percentages.
Descriptive statistics used included frequency and percentages. The following were the findings
of the study; the commonly abused drugs in these schools included: alcohol, cigarettes, khat and
sleeping pills. Majority of the students (63.1%) indicated that the main source of drugs abused
by students was kiosks/small shops. Majority (66.7 %) of the students indicated that the
main problem of drug abuse by colleagues was lack of concentration. The students who
abused drugs turned to stealing money and property and also encouraged damages on school
property. A drug prevention programme has been put in place in the schools according to
majority of the students (69.4%) and students were exposed to drug prevention programmes.
Teachers in the guidance and counselling departments and BOG/PTA were involved in
guidance and counselling. To curb drug abuse, all the teacher counsellors and the deputy
headteachers suggested that effective guidance and counselling and creating awareness
among students should be carried out. Based on the findings of the study, the following
recommendations were made:-secondary schools should have qualified guidance and
counselling teachers who would help students struggling with drugs. Since in secondary
schools the cane is not used to discipline students, emphasis should be put on guidance
and counselling to control indiscipline among the students. Students who are identified as
drug abusers should not be expelled from schools but should be accepted in the community
and be helped through guidance and counselling. Although the Ministry of Education has
integrated drug abuse in some subject, it should consider developing a curriculum on effects
of drug abuse. This will ensure that all students are informed about dangers of drug
abuse in order to make informed choices.
Description
Keywords
Bachelor of Education