Perceptions of principals on the influence of drug abuse on student discipline and academic performance in public secondary schools in Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties, Kenya

Abstract

Drug abuse is becoming increasingly problematic in Kenya. Studies done outside Vihiga and Sabatia Sub-counties have shown that students abuse drugs. The foremost concern was the number of these students that would form an addiction to serious substances, jeopardizing their own health and safety and creating difficulties for their families and the public at large. Preliminary survey in five schools revealed that students in Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties were abusing drugs. In Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties, cases of indiscipline had been experienced. For instance, 4(80%) were found doing examination under the influence of alcohol, 4(80%) stealing and 5(100%) students fighting. It was alleged that most of these incidences involved students who abused drugs. What was not known was the influence of drug abuse on student discipline and academic performance in secondary schools in Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties. The purpose of this study was to establish the perceptions of principals on the influence of drug abuse on student discipline and academic performance in public secondary schools in Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to: Establish influence of drug abuse on student violence, establish the influence of drug abuse on student sexual harassment, establish the influence of drug abuse on student academic performance and establish principals’ perceptions on management of antisocial behaviour arising from drug abuse in secondary schools in Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties. A conceptual framework showing influence of drug abuse on student discipline in secondary schools was used to guide the study. The study used descriptive survey and correlational research designs. The study population consisted of 54 Principals, 54 Guidance and Counseling teachers (G&C), 10,000 students and 1 County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (CQASO). Saturated sampling technique was used to select 39 principals, 39 Guidance and Counseling (G&C) teachers, and 1 CQASO. Simple random sampling was used to select 385 students. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, interview schedule and document analysis guide. Face and content validity of the instruments were determined by experts in the area of Educational Administration whose input was incorporated in the final draft before going to the field. Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine reliability of the instruments using 5(9.26%) of the schools that were not involved in the main study whereby a coefficient of 0.7 and above at a p-value of 0.05 was considered reliable. The instruments were reliable as their coefficients exceeded 0.7 at p-value of 0.05. Quantitative data from closed ended items of the questionnaire was analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means and T-test. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed in emergent themes and sub- themes. The study established that principals perceived drug abuse to be having high influence on violence in schools (M = 4.03) though G & C teachers rated its influence as moderate (M=3.20). With regard to influence on drug abuse on sexual harassment principal ratings was moderate (M =3.04) while G & C teacher was high (M = 3.61). With regard to drug abuse’s influence on students’ academic performance both principals and G & C teachers agreed that it had high negative influence. Guidance and Counseling, and physical interventions were rated as highly effective in managing antisocial behaviour that arose from drug abuse. The findings of this study are useful to the managers of schools in Kenya in understanding the issues related to substance abuse among students in their schools and to come up with strategies to be used in addressing substance abuse related issues.