INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPALS’ ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES ON STUDENTS' DISCIPLINE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TURKANA CENTRAL SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of principals’ administrative practices on students' discipline in public secondary schools in Turkana Central Sub-County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the influence of principals' support of guidance and counseling, parental involvement, students’ involvement in decision-making, and principals’ provision of resources on students’ discipline in public secondary schools in Turkana Central Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed method design. The quantitative approach used a cross-sectional survey design, while qualitative data used case study design. The target population was 15 public secondary schools, 15 principals, 330 teachers, and 3600 students. Simple random sampling was used to select 12 out of 15 public secondary schools. Criterion purposive sampling was used to include all the 12 principals and their respective 12 deputy principals. The 115 teachers were selected using stratified simple random sampling. Systematic sampling was adopted to select 360 out of 3600 students. Data collection tools included questionnaires and an in-depth interview guide. The research instruments were reviewed for validity by the researcher’s supervisors. In addition, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the reliability of the study instruments, and a coefficient of 0.823 was realized which was considered adequate. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data which was presented in frequencies, percentages, tables and graphs. Qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic approach and presented in the form of narratives and direct quotations. The study revealed that principal’ administrative practices such as support of guidance and counseling, parental involvement, involvement of student councils in decision-making and principals’ provision of resources positively and significantly influences students' discipline in public secondary schools in Turkana Central Sub-County, Kenya. The study concluded that the administrative practices employed by the principals need to be improved in order to improve students' discipline in public secondary schools in Turkana Central Sub-County. The study recommended that the government should prioritize the recruitment and deployment of qualified and trained counselors in all secondary schools in Turkana Sub County to provide comprehensive and professional support for students' well-being and discipline management. The government should monitor and reinforce a policy that will prohibit the use of corporal punishment in schools, emphasizing alternative disciplinary approaches that prioritize positive reinforcement, counseling, and restorative justice practices that enhance the discipline of leaners in schools.