IMPACT OF INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY ON MANAGEMENT OF STUDENT DISCIPLINE IN SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IMENTI NORTH SUB COUNTY, MERU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Effective management of students discipline is paramount in ensuring a conducive learning environment. High standard of discipline amongst students guarantees success in the achievement of school activities and instils good moral standards amongst students. However, there are challenges in managing student discipline in secondary schools in Kenya such as inability to detect, monitor or document students’ indiscipline cases. Different discipline management techniques like guidance and counselling have been used in schools, but yield minimal results. However, integration of technology in discipline management has been proposed as a potential solution to improve student discipline in schools. Therefore, the study investigated the impact of using technology to manage student discipline in selected public secondary schools in Imenti North Sub County in Meru County, Kenya. This study was anchored on Systems theory of management by Ludwig von bertalanffy (1956) and scientific theory of management by Fredrick Winsor Taylor (1909). Descriptive survey research design was employed. The pilot study was done in 3 schools selected from the neighboring Meru central sub county. The target population was 448 respondents comprising of 186 class secretaries, 186 class teachers, 38 deputy principals and 38 principals. The sample size for the current study was 90 participants comprising of 8 principals, 8 deputy principals, 37 class teachers and 37 class secretaries, making 20% of the target population. Proportionate sampling method was used to get the sample size of the population. Questionnaires were used to gather data from deputy principals, teachers and class secretary while interviews were for principals. Content validity was determined by supervisors and experts. Reliability was established through piloting and a Cronbach alpha Coefficient of 0.78. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Quantitative data was examined through descriptive analysis, specifically using percentages and averages and analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 29. Qualitative data was presented narratively while quantitative data was presented in tables. Results indicated that the schools that implemented the three technologies namely, Closed Circuit Television Cameras, Biometric Attendance Registers and Discipline Information System resulted in effective management of discipline in those schools. The study found that integration of technological tools in school discipline management has enhanced transparency, accountability, punctuality and monitoring thus significantly improving discipline management in secondary schools. The research concluded that use of technology in discipline management promoted early intervention, fairness in decisions, deterrent of misbehavior and consistent enforcement of school policies resulting to a positively student discipline and secure learning environment. The study recommended that the government should adequately fund the installation, maintenance of technological systems, train teachers and administrators on how to utilize education technology effectively in student behavior management and develop clear policies governing ethical and effective use of surveillance systems and biometric monitoring technologies in schools. The research findings also formed a basis for further research.