Effectiveness of school curriculum as a strategy to Curb drug and substance abuse in public secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

In spite of the governments’ effort in the fight ag ainst drug and substance abuse in Kenya, the proble m is still rampant among secondary school students. The main o bjective was to assess the effectiveness of the sch ool curriculum in curbing drug and substance abuse (DSA) among second ary school students. Literature relating to school curriculum areas and curbing DSA in schools was reviewed. The study employed descriptive survey design. The study sampl e consisted of 35 head teachers and 407 students. Questionnaires w ere used to collect Data from head teachers and stu dents. Content validity and reliability of the research instrument s was ascertained. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. The findings show that content on DSA in the curriculum was inadequate. Co-curricular activities (sports, drama, music and poems) were more effective in curbing DSA. The stud y concluded that curriculum as an administrative st rategy for curbing DSA was not effective. The study recommended that c ontent on DSA in the school curriculum should be en hanced to include causes, types and effects of DSA and more t ime allocated to teach DSA. Head teachers should co llaborate with parents, law enforcers, government agencies; NACADA , NGOs and FBOs to curb the supply and demand of dr ugs and substances. The Ministry of Education could review its policy on punishment and expulsion as regards t o curbing drug and substance abuse among students. The paper is based on a study conducted in the year 2012 and 2013.