Students' and teachers' perception of discipline in Adonten Senior High School

Abstract

This study investigated the students’ and teachers’ understanding of discipline. It also looked into those acts considered indiscipline by students and teachers, and the causes of indiscipline in the school. An enquiry was also made into the effects of indiscipline and measures that could be adopted to control indiscipline in the school. Students and staff of Adonten Senior Secondary School were selected as sample for the study. In all 84 students and 26 teachers constituted the sample. The study revealed that both students and teachers understand discipline as the state of order in the school. It also showed that students and teachers as well see stealing, sneaking out of school, fighting/quarrelling, possession of illegal kits and sexual misconduct as acts of indiscipline in the school. The study identified favouritism on the part of teachers and indiscriminate insulting of students as some of the causes of indiscipline in the school. Again, it was found that indiscipline in the school affects teaching and learning and the academic performance of students. The study further revealed that by suspending indiscipline students and making them sign bonds to be of good behaviour before their parents could curb indiscipline in the school. The offer of guidance and counseling services, praising of well-behaved students at school gatherings and writing of good comments in the terminal reports of self-discipline students to their parents were also identified as measures that could be used to promote discipline in the school. Male teachers should be advised to avoid engaging in immoral activities with female students.