EFFECT OF SANITATION REHABILITATION ON THE BEHAVIOUR OUTCOME OF LEARNERS IN SHIKUSA BORSTAL INSTITUTION, KAKAMEGA COUNTY

Abstract

The Shikusa Borstal Institution, A Youth Corrective Centre provides rehabilitation to the young offenders through counselling, formal education, technical training, spiritual programs, sanitation program and with the goal of positive behaviour change. The Weekly Sanitation Inspection reports from the Sanitation Program carried out in this institution, however, often record drawings and labels on the walls and other surface that portray negative art. This suggests that the learners in this institution communicate their inner feelings through these drawings and labels. This is a cause of concern because the Sanitation Rehabilitation is expected to inspire them into upholding personal hygiene, maintaining high sanitation standards and being law-abiding citizens alongside creating positive drawings and labels. This study investigated the Effect of Sanitation rehabilitation on the Behaviour Outcome of learners at Shikusa Borstal Institution. Objectives were: to find out the Knowledge and Practice of Sanitation Rehabilitation of Learners at Shikusa Borstal Institution, to find out the Motivation for the Creation of Drawings and Labels and Establish the Effect of sanitation rehabilitation on the creation of drawings and labels. This Study was underpinned by John Dewey’s Moral Theory. A mixed methods research design was adopted in this study. The target population of the study included learners, teachers, and the administrators at Shikusa Borstal Institution. Purposeful sampling technique was used in the recruitment of 8 teachers and members of administration at Shikusa Borstal Institution while the saturated sampling technique was relied upon in recruiting 83 learners at the institution. Data were gathered using questionnaires, interview guides, and observations. Construct and content validity were done by consulting the experts in the relevant area. Reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha’s coefficient of above 0.7. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The qualitative and observational data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that Sanitation Rehabilitation had no significant influence on the Behaviour Outcome of Learners at Shikusa Borstal Institution (β=0.052, t=1.102, P ˃ 0.05); factors leading to creation of Drawings and Labels by learners at SBI include life experiences, emotions, influence from peers, and drug abuse. Based on these findings, most learners had knowledge of the rules and their obligation in regard to the Sanitation Programme. However, the Sanitation Programme had no Influence on the Behaviour Outcome of Learners observed through the creation of drawings and labels which was against the Sanitation rules. It is recommended that the Shikusa Borstal Institution Administration should also focus on the non-verbal communication of the drawings and labels to help rehabilitate young offenders into positive behaviour. In addition, consider incorporating art and graffiti classes into the rehabilitation programs.