Parental Responsibility on Drug Abuse Prevention and Student’s Indiscipline among Public Secondary Schools in Fafi Sub County, Garissa County, Kenya

Abstract

It is challenging to accurately determine the extent of drug abuse among public secondary school student’s rural areas of Kenya. Given the persistent nature of drug abuse in schools, this study was conducted to examine parental responsibility on drug abuse prevention and student’s indiscipline among public secondary schools in Fafi Sub County, Garissa County, Kenya. This study utilized an explanatory correlation research designs as it employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population for the study included the 7 principals, 7 heads of departments of the guidance and counseling department, 63 other teachers and 28 student leaders in secondary schools in Fafi Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya. To select the desired sample the study used purposive sampling method to include all the 7 principals, 7 heads of departments of the guidance and counseling department, and 28 student leaders in secondary schools in Fafi Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya. The teachers, who participated in the study, were selected using a simple random method was used. Semi- structured questionnaire was used for collection of data from student leaders and teachers whereas an interview schedule was used to collect data from the principals and heads of departments of the guidance and counseling department. Qualitative data was organized into thematic categories according to the study objectives and then analyzed thematically. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 27). The findings revealed that parental engagement in drug abuse significantly related with student indiscipline in public secondary schools (p-value<0.01. Correlation coefficient; r =-0.741). Therefore, to enhance student discipline in public secondary schools, the study recommends for improvement parental engagement. The research findings will benefit policy makers in the MOE to understand the prevailing situation regarding the relationship between parental engagement in drug abuse and student indiscipline in public secondary schools. The findings of this study will also be valuable for administrators and policymakers in implementing measures to curb drug abuse in schools. It will help improve intervening educational programs and provide insights for the development of more efficient initiatives.