Teacher challenges in managing indiscipline among learners: a case of primary schools in Emuhaya sub – county Kenya

Abstract

Discipline in a school situation is seen as training of the mind and character so that an individual person makes logical decision in a responsible manner and to co-exist peacefully with others in a society. The absence of discipline in a school impacts negatively on school routine, curriculum delivery and academic achievement of learners. This study aimed at looking at forms of indiscipline experienced in primary schools; the challenges teachers encounter while handling indiscipline cases, established methods considered effective in controlling indiscipline among learners and explored other methods besides corporal punishment which are useful in controlling indiscipline among primary school learners. This study was guided by social learning theory advanced by Albert Bandura (1925). The Theory states that children learn in a social context and that role models are important contributors in learning process. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study population consisted of thirty out of ninety primary schools in the Sub-county. From the thirty selected schools, thirty head teachers, thirty deputy head teachers, thirty guidance and counseling teachers and ninety class teachers were involved. The researcher employed purposive random sampling, stratified sampling and simple random sampling technique. The study obtained information from the Area Education Officers on how disciplinary cases reported are handled. The survey explored opinions, attitudes, habits and knowledge about the teacher handling of indiscipline cases in primary schools and challenges experienced. The researcher used questionnaire and interviews schedule to collect the data. The collected data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study found out that; a large percentage of teachers still apply the cane in solving indiscipline cases affecting the learners. This study reveals that teachers are not well prepared in handling indiscipline cases through guidance and counseling. It shows that at the primary school level, learners do not understand the meaning of school and class codes. Head teachers require support from Ministry of Education to handle learners' discipline. The deputy head teacher was the most overworked person while handling indiscipline cases. The study recommends for further study on the challenges head teachers encounter when dealing with teacher discipline and management of primary schools by school management committees. Further study be taken in the entire Vihiga County by sampling public and private schools.