Students' perception of their participation in decision making in secondary schools: implication on discipline in Eldoret East, Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. Susan Wambui Nyamu

Abstract

Students' participation in decision making on disciplinary matters plays a vital role in influencing discipline in secondary school. However, students' perception determines the level of participation. The purpose of the study was to investigate the perception of secondary school students in Eldoret East, Uasin-Gishu County, on their participation in decision making, and its influence on discipline. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the perception of secondary school students on their participation in decision making and discipline, to investigate students' involvement in decision making in secondary schools, to establish the constraints to students’ participation in decision making in secondary schools, and to establish strategies used to enhance students' participation in decision making in secondary schools. The study was based on Kolb's Learning Theory expounded by John Dewey. This study used a mixed approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research instruments were questionnaires and interview schedules. The target population was 41280 students from 50 public secondary schools in Eldoret East, 50 teacher counselors, and 50 deputy principals. The study sample comprised 369 form two students. Stratified and simple random sampling methods were used in the study to obtain the sample which also comprised 3 deputy principals and 3 teacher counselors who were purposively selected. Test retest method was used to determine the reliability of instruments, while validity of instruments was ensured through the use of inter-rater judgment, and this helped in making the questionnaire and interview items clear. Chi-squire test was used to determine the relationship between students' perception of their participation in decision making and discipline. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of means, frequencies, and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study provided insight to educationists on students’ perception on their participation in decision making and its implication on discipline. It was found that students would like their participation in decision making enhanced. The research findings showed that the students are involved in academic and co-curricular activities. There are divergent ways of involving students in school activities as found out in the study. The study established that perception and discipline are related. It was concluded that there is need to enhance students' involvement in school activities as this has a great influence on students' behavior. The study recommends that new strategies of students' participation in school activities be sought.