The effectiveness of the disciplinary strategies used to manage student discipline in Kenyan secondary schools: a case of Rongai sub-County in Nakuru County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of disciplinary Strategies used in managing student discipline in Secondary schools. These findings were based on a study conducted in 2016. The study specifically sought to identify different disciplinary strategies used in managing student discipline of secondary schools in Rongai Sub-County, Nakuru County. The study adopted descriptive research design guided by B.F Skinner (1952) and behavioral theory postulated by Krumboltz and Thoresen (1996).The target population included principals/deputy principals and teachers. For getting a representative sample, the researcher stratified the schools into four educational divisions. Stratified proportionate sampling was then used to select 3 secondary schools from each division that participated in the study. This formed 30% of the total number of secondary schools in the sub-county. All the head teachers (12), from the selected schools were purposively sampled for inclusion in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 30% of teachers from the selected secondary schools. The data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and document analysis and analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as frequencies and percentages. The analyzed data was presented using frequency tables. The study findings revealed that students in most secondary schools in their respective schools followed school rules and regulations related to student discipline, concerning use of rewards, the principals support the use of rewards in managing student discipline. The study also found that there is under staffing of teachers in schools. The study findings reveal that disciplinary strategies play a major role in the level of students` discipline and that teachers need to employ effective disciplinary strategies in secondary schools. The research concluded that disciplinary strategies used to manage student discipline in Kenyan secondary schools are effective at different levels and recommends that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) balance teachers in schools. Schools should also strive to have budgetary allocation on the issue of rewards for teachers and students. Further, Schools should also embrace the use of communication as a strategy in managing students` discipline.