TITLE:
Influence of Guidance and Counseling on Students’ Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Bungoma South
AUTHORS:
Jafred W. Khamala, Jane Amunga, Irine Ashioya
KEYWORDS:
Guidance and Counselling, Discipline, Influence
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
8,
2025
ABSTRACT: For learning to be effective, the discipline of learners is absolutely essential. In this regard, institutions work hard to ensure that the discipline of students is enhanced for them to achieve their desired outcomes. Therefore, this study sought to investigate how guidance and counseling influences students’ discipline in public secondary schools in Bungoma South sub-county. Guidance and counselling has become an integral component of the educational framework in Kenya since the ban on corporal punishment was effected in 2001 through the Education Act. This study views guidance and counseling as an alternative disciplinary method as opposed to the traditional and outlawed corporal punishment that educators have employed in learning institutions for long. Bf Skinner (1992) behavioral modification was used as the basis for the study. The study was carried out in Bungoma South sub-county because it had recorded several indiscipline cases in the past three years. The study population was 725 teachers in 62 public secondary schools out of which a sample of 19 deputy principals, 19 guidance and counselling teachers and 218 teachers were drawn to give their views concerning the influence of guidance and counselling on students’ discipline in public secondary schools. The study employed a descriptive research design and used and applied both qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative data was received in the verbatim, transcribed and reported in themes and sub-themes. Questionnaires and interview guides were used as research tools. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Findings indicated that the use of guidance and counseling in public secondary schools positively influenced students’ discipline. The study recommended that schools should establish guidance and counselling units and with the support of the government hire professional counselors to offer the same to students. Finally, the study recommended that students, teachers, parents and even Boards of Management should be sensitized on the value of guidance and counselling services in an institution.