Factors and Dimensions Influencing Risky and Cautious Decisions: A Study of Selected Kenyan Secondary School Disciplinary Panels

Abstract

The study investigated selected factors influencing risky and cautious decisions on student behavior problems during disciplinary hearing. The study adopted mixed methods approach. The participants comprised 78 teacher-members of selected school disciplinary panels. Quantitative data was collected using the Modified Choice Dilemma Questionnaire while qualitative data was collected by using the interview protocol. Quantitative data was analyzed by inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed by thematic framework. The findings indicated that factors such as gender, age and school categories of panel members influenced risky and cautious disciplinary decisions. Moreover, other factors such as behaviour characteristics of the offender (ß = 1.143), the type of the problem (ß = 0.746), the effects of the problem on disciplinary tone of the school (ß = 0.655) also influenced disciplinary decisions. The study recommended that members of school disciplinary panels should be sensitized on their role of fostering positive and healthy behaviours in students. Moreover, there is need to give consideration to composition of broad based school disciplinary panels.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n10p393