Nature and Extent of Deviant Behaviour among Secondary Students in Public Schools within Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

The prevalence of fire disasters has become a global phenomenon, especially in public and private premises, particularly secondary schools and other learning institutions. Social decadence has been touted as one of the reasons for rebelliousness among secondary school students, which has in many cases led to the torching of schools. Whereas schools are expected to promote and enhance discipline and moral behaviors, in most instances, schools within Bungoma have experienced forms of deviant behavior that have resulted in fire disasters. Therefore, this study sought to examine the nature and extent of deviant behavior among public secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study utilized Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design, and a sample of 384 was used. Proportionate and simple random sampling was used. The study found that there was high cases of deviant behaviors among students, led by theft of property (95.6%), followed by drug and substance use (64.8%). The study further found that peer pressure (83.3%) and drug and substance abuse (53.6%) were the main factors leading students to burn schools. The findings of the study revealed that 363 (95.6%) of respondents agreed that there are many theft cases among students and their fellow colleagues. The study concludes that most students abuse bhang, followed by chang'aa, and lastly, busaa. In regards to the effects of riots, the study concludes that riots mostly take the form of destruction of properties, followed by theft cases. In regards to types of theft cases, the study concludes that students have experienced theft of text books due to poverty and parenthood. Also, students steal these items mostly to sell them and get money. The school administration should enhance security measures through the installation of CCTVs and improved fencing to reduce the chances of sneaking out and drugs getting in. Students should be forced to pay for the damages caused during their riots. The governments should ensure schools have adequate and trained counselors in order to help in taming deviant behaviors such as drug and substance abuse, bullying, and theft. The school administration should have open communication with the students in order to avert riots and school fires.