State agencies and stakeholders' views on strategies of curbing domestic violence in Bungoma county, Kenya

Introduction: Domestic violence (DV) has been on the rise in Bungoma County, costing the lives of many. The violence spilled over to the schools, which triggered the state agencies and stakeholders to establish strategies to curb domestic violence. Purpose: The study was set up to investigate strategies to curb domestic violence in Bungoma County, Kenya.  Establish a solution to the menace which was developing into a circle of abuse. Methodology: Descriptive survey design was employed. The target population was 160,000 Forms 1 to 4 students, 400 head teachers and 400 guidance and counseling teachers.  The study also targeted 1,125 parents registered as social groups within the Ministry of Social Services in Bungoma County.  The study sampled 576 students randomly, purposively sampled 36 principles and 36 guiding and counseling teachers. Then two members (male & female) from the registered social groups were purposively sampled from the nine sub-counties. The instruments used for data collection were open and closed-ended structured questionnaires for the students, interview schedule for the principals and guiding and counseling teachers, and focus group discussion for the parents. Results: The study established that as much as the highest (90%) of the respondents recommended police punishment for the perpetrators' other studies opined that it was not the best option. Hence the study settled on the second option of having open forums to sensitize people on the dangers of domestic violence. Recommendations: The study recommended more emphasis on the establishment of practical strategies to eradicate poverty, which was exposed as one of the leading factors in domestic violence.  Second, the public's awareness of the various dangers of DV should be increased.  Thirdly to encourage the religious institutions to stress and facilitate the moral ethos to the people

Prevalence of various forms of domestic violence and their effects on students classroom behaviours in Bungoma county, Kenya

Introduction: There is an assumption that domestic violence only affected women. However, studies have shown that domestic violence has repercussions equally for children who witness it. Purpose: The study was set up to investigate the prevalence of domestic violence in Bungoma County, Kenya, and the influence on classroom behaviour of students in secondary schools. Methodology: Descriptive survey design was used on a target population of 576 students, 36 principles, and 36 guiding and counseling teachers, including 18 parents. The instruments used for data collection were open and closed-ended structured questionnaires for the students, an interview schedule for the principals and guiding and counseling teachers, and a focus group discussion guide for the parents. Results: The study established that domestic violence prevailed in society, and some students were victims while others were witnesses. Secondly, domestic violence manifested in the students’ classroom behaviours. Recommendations: The study recommended more sensitization of the public, creation of a workable hotline number to enable easier reporting and schools’ personnel to try and identify symptoms in the students who are victims for early rehabilitation.

The Extent and Panacea for Drug Abuse and Indiscipline in Kenyan Schools

Abstract: Drug abuse is indeed a menace in Kenyan schools requiring concerted efforts to overcome. This paper explores the extent of the menace, precipitating factors, effects on health and discipline of students and possible remedies to the problem. The study underscores the urgent need to address the problem so as to salvage the lives of victims and minimize incidences of abuse