The effect of drug abuse on pupils’ discipline in primary schools I

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of drug abuse on pupils‟ discipline in primary schools within Karenga Town Council, Karenga District. It focused on four objectives, which were identifying the forms of indiscipline associated with drug abuse among pupils in Karenga Town Council, Karenga District; establishing the types of drugs commonly abused by these pupils; assessing the extent to which drug abuse has influenced their discipline; and exploring effective strategies to curb drug abuse among pupils in Karenga Town Council, Karenga District. The research incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methods, utilizing a descriptive research design. The sample consisted of 59 respondents, with 42 questionnaires completed and returned, resulting in a response rate of 93.5%. The study gathered data through self-administered questionnaires, documentary reviews and interviews, followed by analysis using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and ANOVA to assess the relationships and differences among the variables. Key findings showed that disorderliness, noisiness, and bullying were prevalent forms of indiscipline, with alcohol being the most commonly abused drug. This study investigated the relationship between drug abuse and pupils' discipline, focusing on factors such as gender, age, class level, and the use of substances like alcohol, smoking, heroin, Khat, and sniffing jet fuel. The regression analysis reveals that gender and age significantly influence discipline, with gender positively affecting discipline scores (B = 3.200, p < 0.001) and age also showing a positive impact (B = 2.100, p = 0.001). The analysis also indicated that class level negatively affects discipline (B = -0.500, p = 0.013), suggesting that maintaining behaviour becomes more challenging as pupils advance in their education. Interestingly, alcohol use (B = 4.500, p < 0.001) and sniffing jet fuel (B = 5.800, p < 0.001) are associated with increased discipline scores, potentially reflecting complex behavioural dynamics, though the mechanisms behind these relationships remain unclear. Smoking and heroin use, while positively related to discipline, do not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05), indicating a need for further exploration. The ANOVA results show that while gender and age are significant predictors, their practical impact is relatively modest, and interaction effects, though statistically significant, have small effect sizes. Strategies to address the issue include instituting comprehensive alcohol education through mass media campaigns to raise awareness and prevent drug involvement among youths. The study concluded that drug abuse negatively impacted pupils' discipline and emphasized the need for collective action from all stakeholders. Recommendations include increasing the number of teachers providing counselling services, implementing preventive measures to control drug access in schools, and improving drug education programs. Collaboration between head teachers, parents, and other stakeholders is crucial for effective discipline enforcement and drug abuse reduction. Schools should conduct regular drug education programs facilitated by guidance counsellors and supported by the government and parents.