ANALYSIS OF MORAL INSTRUCTION TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN PROVERBS 4:1-9 AS A MODEL FOR INSTILLING DISCIPLINE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN KENYA

Abstract

The moral behavior of young people has become an issue of concern globally. Many school going children are no longer willing to follow instructions; they do not take responsibility and their behavior is disturbing. The study highlights some documented cases and causes of indiscipline in Kenyan schools as evidence to the urgency of the matter. The study was a library based and has examined the general concept of discipline and moral instruction in the book of proverbs. Lessons have been drawn from it in an attempt to show how discipline can be enhanced in Kenyan schools. An exegetical research methodology was employed using the historical-critical method. The methodology enabled the study to investigate on the historical, literal and cultural context of the chosen text proverbs 4:1-9. The study found out that, the only authorized methods of instilling discipline are: suspension, expulsion and guiding and counseling. With the abolition of corporal punishment by the ministry of education, the suspension is only authorized by the ministry to be done only by the head teachers or a teacher acting in that capacity and expulsion by director of education or board of management. This ministry ruling has forced teachers to resort to ineffective methods of instilling discipline for they feel they no longer have authority over students. This situation calls for an alternative and more effective technique. Among other recommendations, the study recommends that instruction of young people should involve eight steps suggested in the book of proverbs by Wegner (2013). As it major significant it will contribute to a deeper understanding of the methods of instilling discipline that have failed and provide an alternative way of enhancing discipline in our Kenyan schools to readers, principals and all the stakeholders.