| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of guidance and counseling services on secondary school students’ discipline in Mbale municipality, Uganda. The study had three research objectives. These were: to find out the influence of information service on students’ discipline, to determine the influence of orientation service on students’ discipline and to find out the influence of counseling service on students’ discipline. The study employed cross sectional survey design. Questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. The study population comprised all secondary schools in Mbale municipality with a population of 27329, out of which 5 schools were purposively selected with a population of 10233 and a sample size of 370 using Krejcie and Morgan table (1970). The researcher used the sample size of 450 comprising 45 teachers and 405 Students. The data was analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation. The major findings of the study show that, there is a moderate correlation (r = .524) between information service and students’ discipline. Considering the p-value (sig. = .000 < .05), it was therefore suggested that there is a statistical significant relationship between information service and students’ discipline. Also the result of the correlation reveals that there is a high positive correlation (r = .711) between orientation service and students’ discipline. Considering the p-value (sig. = .000 < .05), it was therefore suggested that there is a statistical significant relationship between orientation service and students’ discipline. Lastly the result of the correlation reveals a high positive correlation (r = .732) between counseling services and students’ discipline. Considering the p-value (sig. = .000 < .05), it was therefore suggested that there is a statistical significant relationship between counseling services and students’ discipline. This also shows that information, orientation and counseling services have a relationship with the of student discipline. The following conclusions were drawn based on the study findings; the study concluded that with information services students’ indiscipline behavior can highly be corrected, the study also concluded that orientation services in schools will highly improve students’ discipline. Finally the finding also reveals that character formation can be achieved through school counseling services. Despite these highlighted benefits of these services, it is found that secondary schools in Mbale municipality do not effectively use guidance and counseling services. The study made some recommendations including that schools should adopt the use of information services. This can be done by employing experts in the field or collaborate with non-governmental organizations to conduct awareness and sensitizations programs at least once every month. This will make students to drop indiscipline behavior and focus on their academic life. Schools should also carry out orientation programs every new academic session. This will make newly student be aware of the rules and regulations and the consequences of those who break the rules. It will also serve as a discussion program where several difficulties faced by the students will be addressed. Above all, schools should have counseling sessions either group counseling or individual counseling at least once a month. This will enable students to voice their feelings and emotions which will in turn help the school to take appropriate action towards making the students’ better people in life. | en_US |
