THE NEXUS BETWEEN DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AMONG STUDENTS AND RECURRENT FIRE DISASTERS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITHIN BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Fire disaster has become a global prevalent disaster experienced in most public and private secondary schools and other learning institutions with likely no country is exempted from this disaster whether developed or developing. The frequent fire incidences in schools within Bungoma County are therefore major concern for all education stakeholders especially considering that some element of rogue behavior and incitement among students have been pinpointed as major causal factors for these problems. The overall objective of the study was to examine the nexus between deviant behavior and recurrent fire disasters in public secondary schools within Bungoma County, Kenya. The specific objectives were: to examine the nature and extent of deviant behavior among students in schools within Bungoma county, Kenya; to evaluate causes of the recurrent fire disasters in schools within Bungoma county, Kenya; assess the strategies in use to mitigate fire Disasters in Schools within Bungoma county, Kenya. The Study adopted Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and PAR Model. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a total respondents of 384. The target population were MOE quality assurance and standard officer, fire officer, BOM chair, PTA chair, deputy principals, spiritual leaders, head prefects, scouts and community members. SPSS version25 was used for data entry. The data were presented in descriptive form through frequencies and percentages in graphs, tables and charts. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found that there are high cases of deviant behaviors among students led by theft of property (95.6%) followed by drug and substance (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 further revealed that adequate fire fighting equipment (86.2%) as best strategy and evacuation plans as the least (19%). The study concluded that most of the schools have experienced forms of deviant behavior among students such as peer pressure and drug and substance abuse which have led to recurrent fire disasters in schools. The study further concludes that most schools are not well prepared for fire emergencies since they are not trained on how to handle fire emergencies.The study recommends that in partnership with the National governnent, county government of Bungoma should develop policy legislation on emergency that will address issues such as deviance behaviors in schools and within the society. The study recommends that a deer need is required in place to revise a method of profiling, tracking and sharing information on cases of student indiscipline in all secondary schools in the Nation. The study further recommends that county government to put in place fire station in every sub county in readiness for any fire disasters and conducting fire drills, trainings and policy guidelines implementations.