Thesis:

Assessment of the effectiveness of alternative methods of enhancing discipline, in the post corporal punishment era, in secondary schools in Kirinyaga county, Kenya.

The ban of corporal punishment in schools was faced by mixed reactions, some of them being directed to the rising cases of indiscipline. It’s not clear on the effectiveness of the alternative discipline management methods applied by the teachers. This study therefore sought to establish the effectiveness of the alternative discipline methods of enhancing discipline, in the post corporal punishment era, in secondary schools in Kirinyaga County. The objectives of the study were to establish the alternative discipline methods applied by the teachers, since the abolition of corporal punishment, to establish the effectiveness of the methods applied by the teachers, to find out the challenges faced in administering of discipline since the abolition of corporal punishment and to determine possible approaches to manage discipline in secondary schools. This study was based on assertive discipline approach theory, advanced by Lee Canter. This study employed descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was 1328 subjects comprising all the 96 head teachers, 291 teachers comprising; of guidance and counselling teachers, form 3 class teachers and discipline masters, and 941 students in form 3. Headteachers and teachers were sampled purposively. The form 3 students were sampled randomly. The study utilized questionnaires and interviews as the research instruments. Quantitative data collected was analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22). The qualitative data was analyzed thematically, with the themes developed from the responses, in accordance to the research questions. The data obtained was presented in form of tables, graphs and pie charts. The study established that among the methods that were being applied were; guidance and counseling, rewards and punishment, revocation of privileges, issuing of warnings, use of threats and intimidation. Other methods applied include inclusion of parents in the discussions, suspension from school, expulsion from school and manual work. The study established that; the discipline methods used were able to manage student’s behavior, the discipline methods used were difficult to implement and that the methods of instilling discipline were not as effective as corporal punishment was. The study further established that the teachers find difficulty in controlling mass numbers of students, the discipline methods being applied by teachers destroy teacher/student relationship and that approved discipline methods lead to time wasting. The study concludes that the discipline methods applied in secondary schools are less effective than corporal punishment was. This has led to increased levels of indiscipline in the schools. The Ministry of Education should organize seminars for teachers and educational administrators to equip them with the most appropriate methods to deal with indiscipline issues. The curriculum should include some lessons that equip the students with life skills to help students deal with situations that at times lead to indisciplined action. The study further recommends that schools should establish peer counselors among students to help in the guidance of other students. The schools should install suggestion boxes so as to find out on the students grievances and act on them as soon as they are received. The school administration should acquit parents on their roles in guidance and counseling of their children while at home.