Attitude of junior high school students towards the use of punishment in behaviour management

Abstract

This study investigated the attitude of Junior High School (JHS) students in the Sissala East Municipality towards the use of punishment in behaviour management. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. A total of 291 respondents were sampled from an accessible population of 1,208 JHS Two students using probability sampling techniques. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The data was analysed using Means, Standard Deviations and Mann-Whitney U test. The study revealed that there is frequent use of corporal punishment in Junior High Schools in the Sissala East Municipality. It also found that Junior High School (JHS) students in the Municipality have negative attitudes towards the use of punishment, as well as towards teachers who use punishment in behaviour management. More so, respondents reported that punishment has both positive and negative impact on the behaviour of students. However, the study found no statistically significant differences in the attitudes of JHS students, in terms of sex and age, towards the use of punishment in behaviour management. The study therefore recommends teachers to stop the use of corporal punishment such as caning, insulting, and asking students to kneel down. Teachers are also encouraged to use alternatives to corporal punishment to manage disruptive behaviour, such as asking students to sweep. Also, the study encourages teachers to learn and apply various strategies that make alternatives to corporal punishment effective.