Disciplinary Strategies for Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Discipline is a key issue in all institutions of learning and is essential for order. In Kenyan public secondary schools, discipline has deteriorated as demonstrated by frequent unrest, which is attributed to the ban on caning. The purpose of this study was to develop strategies for managing student discipline in public secondary schools in the Kenya in the post-caning era. To achieve this purpose, a literature survey was conducted on approaches to the management of discipline. The literature findings were used to develop a theoretical discipline strategy model. On the basis of the strategies in the model, a questionnaire was developed to determine the extent to which these strategies supported the model. The data gathered in this way was used to adapt the theoretical model and developed into an integrated discipline model. The study offers a number of recommendations regarding effective school discipline practices. The model includes, inter alia, reference to the importance of involving stakeholders in the development of discipline strategies in school, a reward system, consistency and team work.