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Factors affecting alternative discipline strategies to corporal punishment in secondary schools; a case of Imenti North district, Kenya.
No full textABSTRACT
Since the ban of corporal punishment in 2001, emphasis has been put on the use of alternative discipline strategies in Kenyan schools. According to research, however, status quo has been maintained in most secondary schools - an indicator of discrepancy in the discipline policy. This means the children rights which the new policy sought to protect are being violated in schools and further, the status quo is evidence that the alternative discipline strategies have not been effective. This research, therefore, sought to find out factors that affect alternative discipline strategies to corporal punishment in secondary schools in Imenti North District. The study was guided by four objectives and research questions. The literature review covered the international and local perceptions of school discipline and punishment, factors that affect discipline methods, theoretical and conceptual frameworks. The study used descriptive survey design; it targeted a population of 10574 students and 432 teachers and it was conducted in 13 out of 44 secondary schools in the District. Stratified and purposive samplings were used to identify the schools and to arrive at a sample size of 286 participants comprising of 234 students and 52 teachers. There were six categories of schools of which the only Boys' Boarding school was purposively sampled to represent its category. Two sets of questionnaires; for teachers and for students were used to collect data after a pilot test in the neighboring District. Analysis of the data was aided by use of a computer package known as Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables and percentages were used to explore demographic implications of the data. Tabular and graphical presentations were used to show the relationship between the independent variables (gender, teachers' academic qualifications & work experience, awareness of children rights) and the dependent variable (alternative discipline strategies). Qualitative data yielded was directly reported in summary form and inferences drawn from it. The study established the choice and manner of administering alternatives to corporal punishment is affected by the kind of alternative strategies in place, teachers' /students' gender, teachers' academic qualifications & work experience, and teachers'/students' awareness of children rights. Secondary schools use various alternatives to corporal punishment of which guidance and counseling is considered the most effective. Corporal punishment is however prevalent according to over 80% participants even though majority of teachers and students are aware of children rights. Majority of teachers (59%) posited reinstatement of corporal punishment, claiming they were not consulted when it was withdrawn and that they were not in-serviced on the alternatives. The study recommends: a clear discipline policy from the Ministry of Education which is formulated in consideration of the views of all stakeholders. Schools and teacher colleges to strengthen guidance and counseling, mandatory in-service for all teachers on the management of student discipline in accordance with the new policy, sensitization on children rights, and Government sets a Task Force to look into the demand to reinstate corporal punishment by the majority of teachers
Management of identity crisis among adolescent students in Njoro district; implication for discipline.
No full textSome adolescents undergo identity crisis during their teenage while others go through this stage without any problems. The way this stage is resolved has a major influence on development and achievement of the student in his future life. The study assessed management of identity crisis of some secondary school students in Njoro district, Nakuru county. The researcher also assessed teacher's level of knowledge on concept of identity crisis , indicated types of behavior exhibited by students during identity crisis, identified factors influencing inappropriate behavior, indicated challenges and behavior modification strategies . The major problem of the study was identity crisis as the main psychosocial issue teenagers deal with during identity crisis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the management of identity crisis among secondary school students in Njoro district Nakuru County, Kenya. The study will assist administrators acquire knowledge and skills on how to manage inappropriate behavior of students during identity crisis. Survey design was adopted where purposive sampling for boarding simple random sampling was used in day secondary schools. The entire target population was 134 teachers sampled in the entire district. Data collection instruments included mainly the questionnaires with open ended, closed ended and Likert scale questions. Data collected was processed, organized and analyzed with the aid of the computer program, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version and the results presented in frequency distribution, tables, percentages, graphs and pie charts .The findings indicated that the managers did not have adequate knowledge on identity crisis to be able to handle adolescent students. Data collected revealed that identity crisis was a factor that influenced inappropriate behavior. The study established that management of identity crisis through counseling and role modeling was the best preferred management strategies for students during identity crisis. The researcher recommended that teachers should be professionally trained in a guidance and counseling for at least two years for better management of identity crisis in secondary schools. The researcher suggested further study to be conducted to establish whether most inappropriate behaviors were an indicator of identity crisis among secondary school students
The impact of dysfunctional family systems on performance ; a case of secondary school students in Imenti North District - Kenya
No full textA dysfunctional family system is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often abuses impact negatively on the part of individual members and occur continually. When problems and circumstances such as parental alcoholism, mental illness, child abuse, or extreme parental rigidity and control interfere with family functioning, the effects can sometimes linger long after these children have grown up and left their problem families. Adults raised in dysfunctional families frequently report difficulties forming and maintaining intimate relationships, maintaining positive self-esteem, and trusting others, they fear a loss of control, and deny their feelings and reality. This has put into question the extent to which dysfunctional family systems affect performance of secondary school students, how these effects can be identified and how they can be dealt with. The study was guided by four research objectives which were concerned with the determination of the relationship between dysfunctional families and their effects on children's discipline, academic performance, personality and socialization. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised of all principals teacher counselors and students, giving a total of 17,328 subjects. A sample of 132 subjects was purposefully and randomly selected from the target population. The researcher used a questionnaire and a document analysis guide to collect the data from the respondents. Reliability of the research instruments was estimated through use of split half reliability method. In this case the reliability coefficient was 0.74. Data was organized then analyzed with the help of SPSS version 17 computer software. Both quantative and qualitative methods were used in the analysis. The results were presented using frequency tables. After interpretation of the results it was concluded that dysfunctional families systems generally have a negative effect on students discipline, academic, performance, personality and socialization. It was therefore, recommended that student teacher counselors and principals should work together to assist the students in the alleviation of the negative effects of dysfunctionalism
Delegated leadership and its impact on teaching and learning; a case of public secondary schools in imenti North district of Meru county
No full textMany teachers engage in significant leadership activities even though leadership rarely features in their educational discourse. Thus leading to lack of clarity about what it means to be a teacher and a leader, when not holding the position of principal or deputy principal. Many Principals are finding it • cult and challenging to be educational leaders. The main objective of the study was to establish
educators' beliefs and perception of delegated leadership and its impact on teaching and learning in public secondary schools. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population in this study constituted all the ten public Secondary schools within lmenti North District that had participated in leadership development programs all the ten principals, ten deputy principal and one hundred and seventy nine public secondary school teachers. The ten principals and ten deputy principals of those schools were purposely sampled as they are senior leaders who have supported development of leadership throughout the school. One hundred and thirty two teachers were randomly selected using Krejcie and Morgan 1970 table from the ten schools. The study had a total sample size of one hundred and fifty two respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data from teachers and interview schedule for deputy principals and principals. The researcher conducted a pilot study in three public secondary schools (30.0% of the population) within the study location. In testing the validity of research instruments, the researcher applied contents validity, where the experts from department of education of Kenya Methodist university opinions were sought. In this study, Split-half method together with the Spearman Brown Prophecy Formula was applied to determine the reliability of the instruments. The study establish that , 93.9 % of teacher respondents perceive delegated leadership as including their involvement in Decision-making and in leading new initiatives in the school. Delegated leadership and teaching and learning were evident through 93.9% respondents' agreed that student learning is enhanced, when teachers work together and that their own teaching improves when they receive support from management and colleagues. 86.4 % of participants agreed that teachers should work together in planning and reviewing their work, sharing ideas within and across subject departments and sharing their professional development experiences but less than 50% of respondents agreed that these practices were well established in their schools. The research highlighted the need for principals, deputy principals and teachers to support students' learning in a variety of ways and to ensure that teaching and learning issues are on the agenda at staff meetings. The outcome of the research provides useful insights to advance leadership practices in the area of study as well as in other learning institution in Imenti North District of Meru County. The study recommends in-service training needs were identified and whole school in-service training provided to the teachers, deputy principals and principals in Imenti North District. The study also recommends delegated leadership to be encouraged in schools through working collegially, engaging the wider school community and delegating tasks, when appropriate and evaluating progress with an aim to: embed a shared vision, focus within the team, further develop communication skills within the team, further develop Self Evaluation and create a culture of shared leadership amongst the team
Challenges facing supervision of curriculum implementation in secondary schools in Taita Taveta county.
No full textThe study was conducted on challenges facing supervision of curriculum implementation in secondary schools in Taita-Taveta County. Supervision is an important component for any organization that deals with provision of services. Thus curriculum implementation should be
upported by adequate supervision. Historically, curriculum supervision started about 400BC.
In Africa, curriculum supervision in formal education was initially done by Christian missionaries before the government took over. The study intended to establish the challenges facing supervision of curriculum implementation in secondary schools in Taita Taveta County. The purpose of the study was to examine the challenges faced in supervision of curriculum implementation in secondary schools. The study population comprised District Quality
ssurance and Standards officers from four districts, fifty eight Principals and two hundred and ninety subject Heads of Departments from fifty eight secondary schools in Taita-Taveta county. It sought to establish challenges facing curriculum implementation in secondary school; knowledge, skills and attitudes needed by various secondary school supervisors and the support services available to the supervisors. Stratified sampling was employed to ensure that schools from each of the four districts had equal chances, while in each district schools were randomly selected. Stratified sampling was employed to ensure that supervisors from each of the four districts had equal chances, while in each district schools from where the supervisors were to be located, were randomly selected. Descriptive survey was used in the study. The data was collected through questionnaires. The data was collected by use of questionnaires. Before collection of data, permission was sought from Ministry of Higher Education, and the necessary permit obtained. The data obtained was analyzed by use of both qualitative and quantitative procedures. The presentation was in the form of tables and charts which were backed up with necessary explanations. From the analysis, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made. The study was intended to improve curriculum supervision in secondary schools. The study revealed that supervisors did not have adequate skills while an appreciable percentage did not have professional qualification in education. Further, there was strong correlation between experience and effective supervision. The challenges the supervisors faced included inadequate resources, lack of cooperation/support from stakeholders and large workloads. Supervisors needed training particularly in management related courses. The study recommends provision of adequate resources for supervisors, preparation of supervisors through induction and appropriate workshops for supervisory role, provision of opportunities for continuous knowledge and skill improvement for both the teacher and supervisor and more involvement of the stakeholders. It also recommends for further research on the quality of teachers and supervisors in private schools and their effect on learners
A case study of public primary schools of Kibera slums, Nairobi County.
Get PDFThe study set to establish the factors influencing academic performance in urban informal settlements: a case study of Kibera slums in Lang'ata District of Nairobi County. In spite of the government's commitment to provision of universal Free Primary Education (FPE) to all children that have attained school going age, there are segments of the society which continue to face myriad of hurdles in access of and participation in basic education key amongst these are children in the slums. The dimensions of these hurdles include; high pupil teacher ratios, inadequate learning materials, and limited admissions spaces due to fewer schools. Though these challenges exist in public primary schools, they are more pronounced in schools located in the informal settlements. This study was carried out in public primary schools located in Kibera slums of Nairobi County. The research employed the descriptive survey design. Four public primary schools found in Kibera slums and the head teachers were sampled purposively using the purposive sampling technique. Nine teachers and eighty two class eight pupils from these schools were sampled using the simple random sampling technique. The study used questionnaires for head teachers, teachers and pupils as the research tools. Reliability of the tools were guaranteed by a test-retest method, a pilot study was carried out in the neighboring Dagoretti district. This helped the researcher to identify questions that were ambiguous. Content validity was ensured by including as many questions as possible for each variable under investigation. Data collected was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Data from open ended questions was analyzed using SPSS version 18 and Spread Sheets (MS Excel). Findings were presented in tables as well as bars and pie charts. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the sample. The responses obtained were presented in order of relative importance according to the objectives of the study. The study came up with the following findings: Most pupils came from poor backgrounds. Such backgrounds meant that parents could not afford decent housing and good sanitary facilities for their children. The majority of the families where pupils came from lived in single mud and iron sheet houses. All the respondents pointed out that academic level of parents was correlated to the performance of pupils in exams. All in all, it was evident that families in the slums lived on meagre incomes and could not afford all the necessary needs of pupils. There was also much pressure on learning facilities due to high pupil teacher ratio. In the school environment, poor facilities and existence of various social evils affected the psychological state of pupils. This in itself affected the performance of pupils in examinations.The study fulfilled the expected objectives. It was established that there were various socio-economic, psychological and environmental factors that affected the performance of pupils in urban informal settlements
Analysis of the relationship between corporate governance of banks in Kenya. A survey of selected Banks in Kenya
No full textHG 2491.M9 2013The corporate governance function is intended to develop ownership structures and corporate governance structures for companies to ensure managers behave ethically and make decisions that benefit shareholders. Many firms have been faced by the challenge of corporate governance that has led to collapse out poor financial performance. The study basically was meant to find out relationship that exists between corporate governance and financial performance of banks in Kenya and various variables are going to be examined that includes, Directors' ownership, Board size, Board Composition and ownership of the banks. Literature has been reviewed on various theories concerning corporate governance that includes agency theory, stewardship theory, stakeholder's theory, Resource dependency theory and transaction cost economics. Various studies have been carried out in the past by other researchers and that is captured in the empirical review of this study. Descriptive research design was applied, and population of the study consists of 20 banks selected from various categories i.e. banks that are locally owned, foreign owned and those that are listed in Nairobi securities exchange. The researcher used purposive sampling. That was done since there was specific information that the researcher wanted and that could only be gotten from specific persons in the organization. Data was collected by use of questioners that covered all questions drawn from all variables of study. Type of data that was used was primary. The data that was collected was analyzed by use of multi-linear regression. The entire research finding provided information that there is a significant relationship between corporate governance practices and financial performance. These factors have made the organizations to properly and effectively manage and observe their financial performances. The extent of board size on financial performances affects financial performances to a great extent, as the number of directors based on activities involved in the bank and also contribution in decision making influences the performances. Also having more directors on the board improves financial performance and improved firm financial performance through proper management involvement and budget allocations. The study recommends that the board size and composition be considered since they affect the financial' performance of the banks. The number of non-executive directors needs to be selected well since they affect financial performance of the bank as compared to those who are executive directors. Further the study recommends that directors' participation in direct corporate governance mechanisms as this will help the entire bank performances
The effect of physical resources utilization and management on KCSE perforfamance. A case of secondary schools in Imenti North district.
No full textThis paper examines the effects of physical resources utilization and management on performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination in Imenti North District of Meru County. The purpose of the study was to determine availability, utilization and management of physical resources is among the factors that influence performance in KCSE in Imenti North District. The study is significant as performance of KCSE in the District has remained 2oor despite the parents and government effort to provide all the physical resources in public secondary schools. The objectives of the study were:- To establish the availability of physical resources and their utilization in teaching and learning. To determine the relationship between the physical resources and student academic performance in KCSE in Imenti North District. To determine role of parents and government in provision and guidance in utilization and management of physical resources in Imenti North District. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The target population was composed of head teachers and students of 34 public secondary schools in Imenti North District. The sample population was 319 students and 10 head teachers. The researcher developed the instruments and administered the questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to determine the instrument validity. Reliability was tested by subjecting the instrument to a pilot study through the split-half technique and then Spearman Brown Prophecy formula, was used to compare a reliability coefficient, which was established at 0.68. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics after data cleaning and coding. Quantitative data was analysed using frequency distribution tables, graphs and pie charts. The study found out that majority of schools, had adequate physical resources which was effectively utilized . Some schools with inadequate resources performed well. The study concluded that physical resources had no direct effect on performance in KCSE. Also, it was concluded that the school managers require innovative skills in terms of acquisition, utilization and maintenance of physical resources. The study recommends that government should increase funding to all schools to acquire the required physical facilities. That the Headteachers and B.O.G's management skills should be strengthened through workshops for proper management of school facilitates
Challenges faced by primary school headteachers in female genital mutilation prone zones; a survey of Chepareria division in West Pokot county.
No full textFemale Genital Mutilation (FGM) also known as female genital cutting is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or any other injury to the female genital organs for non¬medical reasons. FGM related factors have been found to offer major challenges to headteachers in primary schools. The purpose of the study was to establish the challenges faced by primary school head teachers in female genital mutilation prone zones. This was necessitated by the fact that there have been witnessed high rates of school-dropouts, early marriages, low school enrolment and improper hygiene factors that are FGM related and which consequently cause major challenges to head teachers .. The study therefore aimed to identify the effect of school drop-out cha11enge faced by primary school headteachers; analyze the effect of hygiene factor challenge faced by primary school headteachers; locate the effect of early marriages challenge faced by primary school headteachers; and establish the effect of low enrolment challenge faced by primary school headteachers in female genital mutilation prone zones within Chepareria Division. It employed descriptive survey research design and targeted 40 head teachers and 1000 parents and the sub-chief of Chepareria Division and its zonal education officer. Simple random.sampling.was.used. to. select 12 head teachers and 300 parents while-purposive sampling technique was used to select sub-chief and zonal education officer. Questionnaires and interview schedules were the data collection instruments. To establish reliability of research instruments, the Cronbach's coefficient alpha model was used with its figure standing at 0.712 while to establish Validity of the instruments, two experts on the topic from Methodist University examined the content of the instruments. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables, charts and graphs. The results show: that school drop-out, hygiene factors, early marriages and low pupil enrolment that were FGM related posed a major challenge for head teachers. The study therefore recommends that: Head teachers should initiate programs aimed at promoting primary school education even for girls who have encountered FGM to then curb school dropout cases. The head teachers in conjunction with the police should in no uncertain terms ensure that girls, even for girls who have encountered FGM, are put back
in school as the law demands. Head teachers with the help of the government should invest in school sanatoriums that wiII effectively deal with hygiene factors suffered by girls who have undergone FGM. This will enable them remain in school even in the face
of FGM. They should initiate public private partnerships in involving NGO's in creating awareness on the ills of FGM which lead to school dropouts, early marriages, hygiene factors and low enrolment and motivating parents and girls to remain in school. Further, the government through the Ministry of Education should initiate and review policies to help effectively curb FGM related school-dropouts and other attendant ills. The head teachers should be trained in effective strategic management to ensure that the measures put to offset retention challenges in FGM prone zones bear fruit. The study will benefit the community with findings to help curb the FGM menace
The challenges and innovations of implementing Kiswahili curriculum in primary schools; a case of Muthetheni zone Machakos county
No full textThis study investigated the challenges and innovation of implementing Kiswahili
urriculum in primary schools in Muthetheni Zone Machakos County .. The objectives of the study were to; establish whether the Kiswahili teachers have clearly understood the Kiswahili curriculum, establish whether the Kiswahili teachers were trained (pre-service and in-serve training) to competently implement the curriculum, to assess whether there are sufficient resources and facilities to support the curriculum and examine how the attitudes of Kiswahili teachers contribute to the implementation of the Kiswahili curriculum. The target population was 173 teachers in Muthetheni Zone. A sample of 44 Kiswahili teachers and 22 heads of Kiswahili language department were chosen for the study. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to test the reliability of data collection instrument. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics where tables and frequency description were used to present the data. The results indicated that lack of adequate in-service training and seminars by Kiswahili teachers affected their competence to implement the curriculum effectively. There were no adequate materials and resources in schools to implement curriculum for Kiswahili teaching and learning. The study also revealed that 18% of the Kiswahili teachers sampled had a negative attitude towards the Kiswahili subject. All these made the implementation of Kiswahili curriculum difficult contrary to expectations. It was recommended that Kiswahili teachers should be in-serviced through seminars and workshops so that they can fully understand and implement the Kiswahili curriculum. It was also recommended that teacher training colleges should adopt the reforms in their curriculum so that the graduates are not challenged when implementing the curriculum in primary schools. Kiswahili books should not be frequently changed as teachers needed time to read and internalize them. This ':YUi lighten the burden ~f parents and schools from purchasing the books frequently. It was also recommended that Kiswahili grammar (Kiswahili Lugha) be separated from Kiswahili composition (insha) so that the two are treated as separate subjects to enable the teachers tackle their areas of specialization and make implementation of the curriculum sustainable