European Journal of Education Studies
ISSN: 2501 - 1111
ISSN-L: 2501 - 1111
Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu
Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
doi: 10.5281/zenodo.321559
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION
AND STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
Macharia L. Thomas1i, Ruth Thinguri2
1
Mount Kenya University, School of Education,
P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
2
Dr, Mount Kenya University, School of Education,
P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
Abstract:
The purpose of the study was a critical analysis on stakeholders’ interrelation and
students discipline in Kenyan schools. For discipline to be upheld different stakeholders
have to come together and forge a healthy interrelation. That is the; Government, Board
of management, parents, teachers and students stakeholders contribute to discipline of
any learning institution. Every stakeholder has a role to play as the findings bring out.
Every stakeholder participates in policy making and healthy interrelation aids smooth
running of schools. Without good interrelation between stakeholders the findings show
that school unrest rise and student disagree by protesting. Good interrelation is seen to
improve learning environment which leads to improved discipline. The findings
established that not only is unhealthy interrelation between students and other
stakeholders but also between parents, Board of management, Government and
teachers. Indiscipline on any part of stakeholder has resulted to conflict and unhealthy
interrelation. The purpose of the study critically analyzes the stakeholders’ interrelation
and students discipline in Kenyan schools. The study aims at analyzing the Board of
Management, Parents, Teachers, Students and The Ministry of Education interrelation
and students discipline in Kenyan schools. The study recommends a comprehensive
policy by all stakeholders and guidelines that would inform and improve the need to
interrelate among the stakeholders. In conclusion the role of all stakeholders in
maintaining the students discipline in Kenyan schools wholly depends on interrelation
between the stakeholders.
Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved.
© 2015 – 2017 Open Access Publishing Group
465
Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
Keywords: stakeholders, interrelationship, critical analysis, discipline, dialogue,
participation, consultation, policy
1. Introduction
Stakeholder’s relationship has been a concern in Kenyan society, pertaining the
discipline of student in school. For discipline to be upheld, stakeholders are involved
hence their relationship in dialogue and decision making important. In recent time,
schools have experienced strikes and burning of school property which has highly been
blamed on poor stakeholders’ dialogue and relationship. Parents, teachers, community,
Board of management, Administrators and students are in constant disagreement on
how best to manage student discipline.
The National Education Association (NEA) is an organization that is educating
Kenyan schools how to improve the quality of achievement through stakeholders’
relationship. It released a publication policy parent family community involvement in
education
(2008). It elaborated on how the whole community plays its role in
developing the young person in Kenyan School. How stakeholders relate will
determine the discipline of students, teachers and community. When one of the
stakeholders is left out, the discipline seems to fail as well.
2. Statement of Problem
Over time stakeholders have been entirely engaged in running of schools in Kenya .The
government expects discipline of learners in all secondary schools to be managed by the
stakeholders. It poses a challenge for any discipline to be upheld for it totally depends
on stakeholders’ interrelation and how they dialogue from time to time. In recent time
2016, conflicts have escalated leading to torching of schools by learners. The ministry of
education released the causes of indiscipline in Kenyan schools as bad blood between
the administrators, head teachers, deputy head teachers, teachers and parents, poor
communication and some of stakeholders being clueless on what and how to engage
others. For stakeholders to run schools effectively, dialogue and good interrelationship
is needed. The blame has it that some of stakeholders have incited others leading to
high indiscipline cases and school unrest. Constant meeting to enhance working
relationship is vital in maintaining student’s discipline.
European Journal of Education Studies - Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
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Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
3. Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study was to critically analyze the stakeholder’s interrelation and
student’s discipline, the benefits and ways of improving discipline through healthy
interrelation among stakeholders in Kenyan schools.
4. Research Objectives
1. To critically analyze the board of management interrelation and students
discipline in Kenyan schools
2. To critically analyze the student interrelation and students discipline in Kenyan
schools.
3. To critically analyze the parents interrelation and students discipline in Kenyan
schools.
4. To critically analyze the teachers interrelation and students discipline in Kenyan
schools.
5. To critically analyze the ministry of education interrelation and students
discipline in Kenyan schools.
5. Research Questions
1. To what extent are Board of Management interrelation and students discipline in
Kenyan schools?
2. What is the student’s interrelation and school discipline in Kenyan schools?
3. What is the parent’s interrelation and students discipline in Kenyan schools?
4. To what extent are teacher’s interrelation and students discipline in Kenyan
schools?
5. What is the ministry of education and students discipline in Kenyan schools?
6. Significance of the Study
The study may help in understanding the stakeholder’s interrelation and dialogue in
upholding discipline of students in schools. The stakeholders and their role in discipline
through dialogue and healthy interrelation with other stakeholders; Teachers, parents,
”oards of management parent’s, Ministry of education and students is emphasized as
the key requirement in upholding discipline in Kenyan schools.
European Journal of Education Studies - Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
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Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
The study may enlighten the stakeholders on importance of interrelationship in
maintaining discipline. Constant dialogue may guide the way the school run and avoid
tendencies of students’ indiscipline. The administrators and teachers find themselves
termed not listening and also failing in proper communication. Most of indiscipline
cases such as burning of schools have been viewed as a protest by students against
leadership of any affected school. It is a way of putting forward their grievances due to
failed interrelation between stakeholders their students may benefit in that the
enhanced interrelation will bring about dialogue by all stakeholders including students.
This may create a better forum to discuss student’s needs. Relationship enhances
discipline
among
the
stakeholders
and
curbing
indiscipline.
Stakeholder’s
interrelationship also encourages better working condition and dialogue in times of
misunderstanding.
7. Theoretic Framework
The study is based on collegial model by Bush (2003) Bush describes management by
participation as transformational in leadership especially school policies which are
achieved through stakeholders involvement. Freeman of McCrea 2001 emphasizes how
crucial it is to focus on the interrelationships in an institution with its stakeholders, try
to strike a balance by engaging the stakeholders’ relation and the objectives set. The
institutions should understand influences by others in order to achieve its objectives,
Freeman & McCrea 2001. Donaldson Preston 1995, came up with instrumental
approaches which explain ways institutions achieve its objectives by engaging various
stakeholders with their principles and practice to achieve its traditional objective.
8. Research Methodology
The study is a critical analysis on stakeholders’ interrelation and students discipline in
Kenyan schools .The study are done through qualitative method which brings out
creativity and factual reliable information. Through this method, the researchers bring
out importance of stakeholders interrelation and students discipline in Kenyan schools.
William Glassier 1997 in his reality and choice theories, states that individuals involved
in decision making on behavior tend to own it and support it. The methodology
evaluates different stakeholders’ involvement and their interrelation and students
discipline in Kenyan schools and also the advantages and disadvantages of poor
interrelation among stakeholders.
European Journal of Education Studies - Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
468
Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
9. Literature Review Critique
9.1 A Critical Analysis of Board of Management Interrelationship with Stakeholders
and School Discipline
The board of management in a school plays a role of ensuring they develop healthy
interrelationship with key stakeholders. It also develops effective communication
challenges between the involved stakeholders especially in maintaining discipline. In
recent time in Kenyan, Schools 2016, burning of schools and endless strikes had highly
been blamed on Board of Management breakdown of communication between
stakeholders The Board of management has a role of anticipating problems as much as
possible and act to diffuse it. In this case the burning of schools.
Harrison, 1996, on instrumental perspective on stakeholder theory, justifies the
stakeholders especially on management that enhances the ability to predict and control
the external environment. The concept of Board of management relationship with other
stakeholders will enable the schools maintain discipline and also predict possible focus
from the environment and also put forth best practices of enhancing dialogue. It is
through proper communication channels established by the Board of management that
will improve discipline.
9.2 Parent’s Interrelation as Stakeholders and Students Discipline in Kenyan Schools
Students come from the society and from different homes where every family stands for
certain values. Parents are vital component as interested parties in their children
discipline. Parents need to understand and follow keenly what their children are
learning in school. Anderson, 1998; Cooperman, 1999; Quezada, 2003, emphasize on
collaborative involvement in school practices and parental involvement because it
moves the school closer to the community parents.
Due to high tension and a very unfriendly environment blamed by most school
going students the parents participation uplifts students motivation, boost their morale
and also improve how they engage and commit according to Beverley, Freedman
McGee, Moran, 2003. When parent’s commitment is in good relationship, discipline is
likely
achieved.
Highly
motivated
parents
will
support
the
stakeholder’s
interrelationship and engage to improve students discipline in Kenyan schools. Parents
are expected by the government policy to support the implementation of school
discipline policy. Healthy interrelationship helps in easy implementation of discipline
policies (May 2006) Government policy.
European Journal of Education Studies - Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
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Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
9.3 Student’s Interrelationship as Stakeholders and School Discipline
In any learning institution the interrelationship between stakeholders affect students
directly and the discipline among students highly depends on the dialogue and
effective communication. When the students fail to be involved in policy making by the
government, formulation of school roles, expectations from the society and lack of
involvement of students could lead to unrests as experienced in most schools in Kenya.
The goals, policies, objectives and decisions arrived by stakeholders affect the learners
positively if the interrelationship through proper communication is achieved.
Representation and participation aids the learners own up their decision arrived
at and also take part in their formulation. Ann Svendsen 2010 emphasizes the bridging
techniques where she sees stakeholders as being reciprocal. An institution will be better
in dealing with changes in environment early when they have a good relationship
between them.
According to Kenyan Government policy, all students are expected to follow the
set discipline code and also follow what is set by the administrators, teachers, parents,
board of management and society deemed appropriate as accepted behaviour. This has
brought problems as students view it dictatorial. Good dialogue and discipline solves
this problem by enhancing co-operation and relationship. Government policy (May
2006)
9.4 Teachers Interrelation as Stakeholders and School Discipline
Discipline is a learning process which develops students on how to develop selfdiscipline .It develops students thinking and moral faculties. Learning process involves
the teacher in guiding and building the students competencies. Discipline requires good
interrelationship through healthy collaboration between stakeholders. Teachers are the
direct players who engage students in daily activities.
Healthy dialogue and teachers participation in formulating rules and
implementing the objectives is highly unavoidable. Lack of co-operation and
participation by teachers is felt directly by the institution as they play a passive position
where as are expected to engage the learners by guiding their behavior. According to
Government policy (May 2006) teachers are expected to participate in developing
discipline policy and support its effective implementation.
9.5 The Government Interrelation as Stakeholders and School Discipline
Policies, national education goals, objectives are formulated by the government on ways
to achieve on both academic and discipline of students. Most of schools in Kenya are
directly financed by the government. All other stakeholders are held together for a
European Journal of Education Studies - Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
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Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
common goal. The interrelationship among the government and the school stake
holders will ensure discipline of all stakeholders.
Power fights trickles down to students’. Any unhealthy interrelationship
between stakeholders affects the discipline of the school. Government policy states that
good discipline is fundamental and schools must have a discipline policy developed in
consultation which leads to healthy interrelationship. Government policy (May 2006.
9.6 Stakeholders Interrelation and Students’ Discipline
William Glassier 1997 His reality and choice theories state that when individuals are
involved in decision making on their behavior they tend to own it. Their self-esteem
and pride in their participation help in maintaining discipline. Gordon Thomas 1974 on
teacher effectiveness training explains that good interrelationship between stakeholders
charged in maintaining discipline and the student is more important than what is
taught. The good interrelationship and communication help in conflict resolution and
maintaining of students disciplined.
Rundolf Dreikurs 1972 emphasized that discipline is based on respect which
motivates and improve relationship between stakeholders John Dewey 1916 believed in
democratic a practice which is based on good interrelationship. Interrelationship is the
fast step in achieving discipline among stakeholders.
10. Conclusion
The findings suggest that good interrelation among stakeholder is the key to
improvement of discipline in Kenyan schools. Dialogue and participation of all
stakeholders; Board of management, Government, teachers, parents and students is
essential for it improves interrelation among stakeholders hence improving students
discipline and avoiding problems like school unrests in Kenyan schools. Most of school
indiscipline tendencies are as a result of unhealthy communication among the involved
stakeholders.
Every stakeholder has a role to play pertaining discipline in a school. No single
stakeholder without collaboration can deal with school discipline. Participation and
good relation ensures communication to minimize conflict
11. Recommendations
1. All the Board of Management stakeholders need to cultivate healthy interrelation
to maintain students’ discipline. Their unhealthy interrelation also goes down to
European Journal of Education Studies - Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
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Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
the student’s discipline. The Board of Management has a role of involving all
stakeholders in improving stakeholders’ interrelation.
2. Every student is directly affected by any policy and objectives set for a school.
Students have a role to play on their discipline. Healthy interrelation enhances
good understanding and solution based approach.
3. The parent’s stakeholders’ participation in formulation of rules, objectives and
goals is essential. Good, interrelation will improve discipline and smooth
running of schools as all students belong to a society where parents come from.
4. Representation should be encouraged for all stakeholders to feel part of the
institution and freedom to participate with healthy interrelation that no one is
left out. Comprehensive policies on interrelation between teachers need to be
spelt out. Teachers are policy and implementers of the set policies. Their
participation should be put into consideration to improve on students’ discipline.
5. For there to be a smooth running of schools the Ministry of Education need to
participate and inclusion of all in policy, objectives and goals setting. Healthy
relation needs to be emphasized at all schools levels pertaining students
discipline.
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European Journal of Education Studies - Volume 3 │ Issue 1 │ 2017
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Macharia L. Thomas, Ruth Thinguri
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF STAKEHOLDERS INTERRELATION AND
STUDENTS DISCIPLINE IN KENYAN SCHOOLS
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