The Role of School Discipline on Students Academic Performance
CHAPTER ONE
General Objectives of the Study
The general objective of the study was to examine the extent to which students in best performing schools are disciplined compared to students in least performing secondary schools in Kosefe Local Government Area.
Specific Objectives of the Study
- To examine the suitability of set rules and regulations in best and least performing schools.
- To examine the mechanisms in place that ensures that students’ abides to prescribed rules and regulations.
- To examine how the students punishment management influence academic performance.
- To investigate how the administration of school rules and regulation contribute students’ academic performance.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theoretical Literature
The term discipline has been defined differently by various scholars who have written about it. Wango (2009) refers to the term discipline as the penalty meted on the offender for wrong doing. In a school setting, discipline refers to the system of rules and regulations that facilitates the observance of order and justice in the school. According to Ssekamwa (2000), discipline is the development of self-worth, self-control, respect for self and others and the adherence to the school routine set up in terms of schedules and school regulations. Bean (2001) refers to discipline as primarily about establishing guidelines for behavior and making sure that those guidelines are followed. It is therefore realized that in any society, discipline is a very important element for achievement of their intended objectives and discipline management involves establishing guidelines for regulating individuals and making sure that they are followed. According to Lorenz (1986) orderliness, guidance and effective discipline plays a significant role in giving learners direction so as to reach or achieve the expected goals and objectives in their formal schooling. The targeted academic achievement is easily achieved if there is good discipline at school. Freedman and Benjamin (2003) emphasize that discipline keeps strategies and vision from becoming an unmet aspiration. 9 Responsibility becomes more effective if there is good discipline. A learner can be delegated if he his disciplined. By delegation, he acquires responsibility through good discipline. Joubert and Prinsloo (2001) state that a code of conduct in school plays a leading role in the creation and the implementation of good discipline.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the role of school discipline on students academic performance. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of the role of school discipline on students academic performance
Summary
This study was on the role of school discipline on students academic performance. Four objectives were raised which included: To examine the suitability of set rules and regulations in best and least performing schools, to examine the mechanisms in place that ensures that students’ abides to prescribed rules and regulations, to examine how the students punishment management influence academic performance and to investigate how the administration of school rules and regulation contribute students’ academic performance. The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 80 participants in the study. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from staffs of selected secondary schools. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In general, the study revealed that Discipline is related to and can affect Students’ Academic Performance. When school rules and regulations are effectively enforced, it can culminate in good standard of behavior expected of students and teachers and therefore enhancing learning and teaching process. Furthermore, in secondary, students’ academic performance is generally poor. This is attributed to many factors which include: poor primary and primary level background, students; lack of interest in studies, inadequate reference materials, language barrier, indiscipline, parental influence and lack of scholastic materials among others. Schools have rules and regulations and they try to enforce them. For instance, Head Teachers ensure that students wear uniform, and get permission before going out of school. They put emphasis on students’ dressing code, mobile phones, upsized students’ hair and examinations. Nonetheless, the school rules and regulations are not effectively implemented. The rules are not well communicated to parents and students. Also, School administrators appear to be mindful of time management. Activities are carried out timely. Head Teachers are keen teachers’ and students’ attendance as well as punctuality. Disciplinary measures are mainly taken by Head Teachers; most of the sampled schools had no disciplinary committees. Lastly it should be noted that much as there are others, discipline is a crucial factors for the success of students throughout their academic odyssey. However, the major challenge to the problem of discipline remains in the hands of the school administrators, teachers’ students and the parents. In actuality, the problem of discipline outspreads to even disciplined students in schools and affects the overall academic performance.
Recommendation
The Head Teachers as school managers need to be trained in an effective leadership style so as to acquaint them with the challenges of discipline management. Such leadership styles as autocratic, paternalistic, consultative as well as democratic have proved to be viable and can be adopted for effective discipline management. Head Teachers should establish Guidance and counseling services in school to guide students in academic endeavors as well as counseling them in psychosocial issues. Students can also be counseled to make them understand the offences they commit and why they should be punished
Ideally, an effective school management system is where teachers and students partake in leadership and discipline management. Schools should have disciplinary committees on the side of teachers and students and these should be respected in terms of decision-making and be given powers and authority to execute their duties.
Parents, though schools are conceived to play an important role in instilling society values and good mannerisms in students, this cannot be achieved without parental involvement. Therefore, parents or guardians should collaborate with teachers in enforcing discipline among students.
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