Relationship between Rewarding Positive Behaviour and Disruptive Behaviour in Secondary Schools in Nairobi County Kenya
Authors: Nyasani Everlyn , Wawire Dr Chrispus 
Published: October 2023

It is estimated that about 20% of secondary school students in Kenya display challenging behaviours such as disruptiveness, non-compliance or aggression that limit their ability to learn and interfere with productive classroom instruction. Teachers use a variety of ways to manage and reduce these challenging behaviours. For instance, from the literature reviewed, it is clear that disruptive behaviour is as a result of punitive measures used in managing students’ behaviour. In these studies, it is not clear how specific behavioural management strategies influence disruptive behaviour. The aim of this study therefore, was to investigate the correlation between rewarding positive behavior; teaching alternative behavior and disruptive behaviours among form two students in Dagoretti Sub County. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between rewarding positive behaviour and teaching alternative behaviour and disruptive behaviour. This study employed a mixed research methodology in which both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Data was collected because the study was aimed at establishing if there was a significant relationship between behaviour support strategies and disruptive behaviours among form two students. According to Kothari (2004) quantitative research methodology focuses on numeric and detailed data that is collected using structured research instruments while qualitative methodology collects data from the respondents using narratives. Questionnaires were used to collect data on the study variables and then analysed using computer software to answer the research questions. Interview schedule was used to collect qualitative data from the guidance and counselling teachers. This research methodology was appropriate for this study because it provided an in-depth understanding of the research problem since it employs diverse approaches in data collection. The study was based on Problem Behaviour Theory. To establish the nature of the relationships among the research variables, the study employed correlational research design. This study was carried out in Dagoretti North Sub-County, Nairobi City County. The study targeted 6456 form two students, 64 form two class teachers and 32 guidance and counselling teachers in the year 2023. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting form two classes, their class teachers and guidance and counselling teachers. Students were selected using simple random sampling. The sample consisted of 365 students and 20 teachers who were sampled from 10 schools. This study primarily utilized structured questionnaires for the classroom teachers and students to collect data on Rewarding positive behaviour used by teachers and disruptive behaviour. Piloting of the research instruments involved conducting a study in one school using 20 students and two teachers. The results were used to ascertain the validity and reliability of the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data by calculating frequencies and percentages that were presented using frequency tables. Pearson product moment correlation analysis was employed to test hypotheses. The results indicate that there was a negative and significant relationship between rewarding positive behaviour and disruptive behaviour, r (352) = – .29, p < 0.05. Since the study found that there was a negative and significant relationship between rewarding positive behaviour and disruptive behaviour among students, teachers should ensure that they come up with comprehensive guidance and counselling programs on teaching the students desirable behaviour and rewarding positive behaviour. This will go a long way in reducing disruptive behaviour among secondary school students.