EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS IN ENHANCING DISCIPLINE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KANGUNDO DIVISION, MACHAKOS COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This research was aimed at studying the effectiveness of school rules in enhancing discipline in public secondary schools in Kangundo Division, Machakos County, Kenya. The study sought to establish the extent to which students were involved in the formulation of school rules and regulations in public secondary schools in Kangundo Division; the extent to which students were involved in the implementation of school rules and regulations to enhance discipline in secondary schools in Kangundo Division; the issues arising from school rules and regulations in secondary schools in Kangundo Division; the attitude of teachers and students towards rules and regulations in secondary schools in Kangundo Division; challenges arising in enforcing the existing school rules and regulations in secondary schools in Kangundo Division and to recommend measures that should be taken to improve on the existing rules and regulations in secondary schools in Kangundo Division. A descriptive survey design was used to examine the effectiveness of school rules in enhancing discipline. The target population for this study consisted of all public secondary schools in Kangundo District. The sample frame included seven (7) public secondary schools, one hundred forty (140) students, twenty one (21) student leaders, twenty one (21) class teachers, seven (7) deputy head teachers and seven (7) head teachers. The study instruments were questionnaires for students, class teachers and Deputy Head Teachers and interview guides for Student leaders and Head Teachers. The research instruments were reviewed for validity by various groups of people who included the researcher‟s peers and supervisors at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Reliability of questionnaires was measured by Pearson‟s Correlation Coefficient which was computed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive analysis such as frequencies and percentages were used in data presentation. The findings of the study revealed that students were not adequately involved in the formulation of school rules and regulations though they were highly involved in the implementation of the same. The findings further revealed that students were positive about school rules and regulations. They were willing to embrace them and seemed to recognize their intrinsic value in day to day life and discipline enhancement. The researcher recommends affirmative policy formulation to provide/encourage use of student friendly disciplinary measures like guidance and counseling by expert. The ministry of Education should expand its spheres of coverage to incorporate school principals in addressing the challenges faced in enhancing student discipline. School management should organize seminars and forum for students on the importance of obeying rules and regulations. In such a workshop, teachers and other experts can share with students on real life experience on the obedience of rules and regulations.