Peer influence is common in schools. Students easily bond mostly for the wrong reasons. Most students I talked to view making groups as improper and associated them with misconduct.

Vercus Irakoze, a S.1 student at Rugando Senior Secondary School in Kacyiru said that the reason for most peer pressure is to live an easy lifestyle.

"Students want to live an easy life yet they do not know that they have decided to become unfocused,” Irakoze said.

He also said that most students at school who move in cliques are involved in immoral deeds.

Theodette Nakomeze, 16 in S.3 studies at Kacyiru Secondary School said that at her school the impact of peer pressure is common with the guys.

Asked how students join such groups, she answered that, "It is a personal decision.”

However not all peer pressure is bad. Students can get involved in good cliques that built and teach them.

Alexandria Ngabogisonga from Kacyiru Secondary School said that he is part of a good group. 

"I don’t drink or smoke. I was lucky to meet children who are not involved in bad behavior,” he said.

He said that at his school if caught in the wrong, students are put under behavioral guidance but if they refuse to change, they are expelled.

The best solution to bad peer pressure issue is that teachers should intensify on guiding the students.

"They can help us by giving us frequent career and behavior talks to guide us.”  

Ends