Student leaders’ empowerment and management of discipline in secondary schools in Kampala District

Abstract

The study set out to find out the relationship between student leaders’ empowerment and management of discipline in the selected Secondary Schools in Kampala District. The specific objectives of the study sought to: establish whether the selection criteria, induction of student leaders and school administration support have an influence on management of students’ discipline. The research employed a cross-sectional survey design using a random sample of 241 students and ten teachers. The information was collected using a self administered questionnaire for students and an interview guide for teachers. The findings revealed that in schools where the selection process involved both students and teachers, students’ discipline was better managed than in schools where the selection was done by only students. In addition, induction and the administrative support accorded to students’ leaders play a significant positive role in the management of school discipline. The conclusions were that: the selection criteria, induction and support given to student leaders are all related with management of discipline in schools. Basing on the study’s findings, the researcher recommended that schools should ensure that every student intending to stand for a particular post goes through the screening process; schools should also undertake induction courses/programmes for student leaders and provide them with the necessary support as they carry out their leadership roles.