Role of Parents Teachers Association in Enhancing Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Ongata Rongai Zone, Kajiado County, Kenya

Ngare, Rose (2014) Role of Parents Teachers Association in Enhancing Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Ongata Rongai Zone, Kajiado County, Kenya. Masters thesis, Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

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Abstract

Despite the Government effort of ensuring community direct involvement and ownership of development projects in their locality such as education, the extent of parents input in students discipline through the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) remains obscure in many secondary schools. This study was to determine the role of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) in enhancing discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Ongata Rongai Zone of Kajiado County, Kenya. The study was guided by four research questions that investigated the following aspects: The activities of PTA in enhancing students‟ discipline, the extent to which PTA role enhances discipline, the challenges facing PTA in students discipline management and suggestions on how the PTA can be more effective in enhancing discipline. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies with a cross-sectional survey and phenomenological design. The target population consisted of 4 public secondary schools, principals, discipline masters, PTA members, class teachers, and all students of the 4 public secondary schools in Ongata Rongai Zone. The sample size consisted of 4 principals, 4 discipline masters, 36 class teachers, 36 PTA members and 160 students. Data was collected by use of interview guides, questionnaires, and document analysis guide, which were personally administered by the researcher. Quantitative data was analyzed in frequencies and percentages using SPSS version 20, while qualitative data was organized into themes and analyzed descriptively. Conclusions and recommendations were made based on the findings. The study found that even though PTA does many activities towards development of school facilities, very little is done on students discipline management. In most schools, head teachers rarely involve PTA when dealing with students‟ indiscipline and in case of serious issues such as drugs abuse only the concerned parent is invited. This denies PTA the opportunity to forge a common front of tackling the menace. The study has found that in each secondary school in Ongata Rongai education Zone, there is a growing percentage of students on hard drugs. Students‟ absenteeism and truancy is anathema in both boarding and day schools. Students hardly know their class PTA representatives and no class meetings are done. Most parents are ever busy to monitor their students‟ home and school progress. The study also established that as much as the PTA was effective in certain activities they ignored certain important activities where they should have been more effective. For example, visiting the school occasionally(uninvited) to monitor their child‟s progress. Facilitating guidance and counseling for students and teachers, and ensuring school leadership is democratic as opposed to autocratic. It was established that PTA face challenges such as role conflict with Board of Management (BOM). Lack of commitment by some PTA members was also noted and difficulties in dealing with drug addicted students. Ignorance on the part of the parents caused by low education levels was also another challenge. The study recommended that, PTA having been recognized by the Kenya Basic Education Act (2013) should be more proactive. They should demand more consultative engagements not only on money matters but also in regard to students discipline management.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	JHI Africa
Date Deposited:	27 Sep 2017 11:16
Last Modified:	27 Sep 2017 11:16
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/2394

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