Student Leadership Quality and the Discipline of Students in Mbarara City North Secondary Schools

Abstract

he study assesses the impact of student leadership quality on the discipline of students of Mbarara City North secondary schools. The objectives of the study included: assessing the quality of student leadership in secondary schools in Mbarara City North, determining the levels of discipline of students in these secondary schools, and then examining the relationship between student leadership quality and the discipline of students in these secondary schools. The researcher used cross-sectional research design, in which both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. The area of study was Mbarara City North particularly in three divisions, namely: Kakiika, Kamukuzi and Biharwe. The population of the study comprised of head teachers, prefects and students from the six randomly selected schools in which a sample of 296 respondents was considered. The study employed both simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The methods of data collection were majorly survey, interviews and focus group discussions; and these used questionnaires and interviews as tools of data collection. The study followed the basic ethical considerations through a rightful procedure universally accepted by the university. Moreover, a community engagement and Covid-19 mitigation plans were well laid and followed. The study findings on the assessment of the quality of student leadership in Mbarara City North secondary schools resulted into a mean score of 4.202 which is close to the maximum score of 5, implying a high quality of leadership. This is supported by some of the responses from the interviews. “Student leaders in this school are really very serious and of good quality” the head teacher of School B said. The study findings on determining the levels of discipline resulted in a mean score of 4.16 which implies a high level of discipline. This is supported by some responses from some of the student leaders. “Our fellow students have good discipline in general” the head boy of School E said. The association between the quality of students’ leadership and students’ discipline in Mbarara City North secondary schools showed a correlation coefficient of 0.547 which indicated a moderate score showing a very high positive relationship between the two. Conclusions of the study point to a high quality of leadership among student leaders of Mbarara City North secondary schools. Secondly, the study findings point to good discipline among the students. Finally, the study findings show a significant relationship between student leadership quality and the discipline of students in Mbarara City North secondary schools. The researcher made some recommendations. On Objective one, the researcher recommended school administrators to continue developing leadership skills among the student leaders. On Objective Two, different stakeholders were recommended to improve on the discipline of students.