REDEFINING DISCIPLINE IN A CONTEMPORARY SCHOOL SETTING

CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION        

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY     

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.5     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1.7     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

1.8     DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

1.9     DEFINITION OF TERMS     

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION

2.2     THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.3     EMPIRICAL REVIEW

2.4     SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1     RESEARCH DESIGN

3.2     AREA OF STUDY

3.3     POPULATION OF THE STUDY

3.4     RESEARCH SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

3.5     INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION

3.6     VALIDITY OF THE INSTRUMENT

3.7     METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

3.8     METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0     DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0     SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION5.1     SUMMARY

5.2     CONCLUSION

5.3     RECOMMENDATIONS

REFRENCE

APPENDIX

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

Schools have an important task to teach children to differentiate between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Opportunity must also be given for the development of insight and learning. In a positive school situation a breaking of school rules is therefore viewed as not only a negative action towards the school, but also a negative action towards fellow learners and teachers and the disruption of mutual relationships. In a positive school climate, school rules are instrumental to the whole development of the learner, hence allowing the children on the opportunity to grow in themselves and they experience themselves positively and they make good decisions so that they can progress to independence (EMDC, 2007).

Discipline is probably the most difficult and unpleasant part of teaching profession. The teacher is faced with the challenges of educating, socializing, empowering and certifying students, but with the help of good teaching atmosphere (Fafunwa, 2004; Farrant, 2004).Well before any disciplinary action is required, there must be acceptance and understanding of the rules of conduct and the disciplinary system by both teachers and students. Students should know exactly what is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they do not meet those expectations. The rules should be consistent and fair. The discipline system will be more effective when the disciplinary action is meant to tackle the root cause of indiscipline behavior of the students.

Discipline globally viewed could be termed to mean training that enables an individual to develop an orderly conduct and self-control as well as self-direction (Egwunyenga, 2000). Therefore, discipline defines the limitations of an individual or a group of people. It is the practice of restraint, which may be self-imposed. With reference to the school, Adesina (1980) described it as a situation whereby students are taught to respect the school authorities, to observe the school laws and regulations and to maintain established standard of behaviour. This means that respect for self and respect for others are involved (Peretomode, 1998). School discipline is an essential element in school administration. This is because discipline is a mode of life in accordance with laid down rules of the society to which all members must conform, and the violation of which are questionable and also disciplined. It is seen as a process of training and learning that fosters growth and development (Imaguezor, 1997). Discipline refers to a systematic instruction given to a disciple or a student. To discipline means to instruct a person to follow a particular code of conduct. In a nutshell, school discipline refers to regulation of children and the maintenance of order (“rules”) in schools. These rules may, for example, define the expected standards of clothing, timekeeping, social behavior and work ethics. The term may be applied to the punishment which is the consequence of transgression of the code of behavior. In other words, the usage of school discipline sometimes means upholding disciplinary action against nonconformity with the school rules. School is an institution with a specific purpose, to nurture the youngster in such a way that he will be useful to himself and society. The misbehaviors of students in Nigerian secondary schools result from a complexity of factors that reside both within the child and forces outside him. This could be examined under common disciplinary problems and severe disciplinary problems. Different forms of indiscipline have been observed among students in secondary schools, these has been investigated and classified according to their peculiarities and disciplinary measures taken by school authorities.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

Most of the misbehaviors of students in Nigerian secondary schools result from a complexity of factors that reside both within the child and forces outside him. This could be examined under common disciplinary problems and severe disciplinary problems. Different forms of indiscipline have been observed among students in secondary schools, these has been investigated and classified according to their peculiarities and disciplinary measures taken by school authorities. For instance, Rosen (1997) grouped ten types of disciplinary problems which often lead to suspension of students, namely; defiance of school authority; not reporting to after-school detention or Saturday school; class disruption; truancy; fighting; the use of profanity; damaging school property; dress code violations; theft; and leaving campus without permission. The other common types of disciplinary problems experienced in secondary schools as mentioned by Donnelly (2000) include fights, insubordination, little support for educators, a general climate of disrespect, and distrust of the administration. Emphasizing that the types of disciplinary problems mentioned above are the ones being experienced in Nigerian secondary schools. The researchers observed that several types of misbehavior make the work of educators difficult. These include; repeatedly asking to go to the toilet; missing lessons, absconding; smoking in the toilets; pushing past the educator; playing with matches in class; making rude remarks to the educator; talking when the learner is supposed to be writing; being abusive to the educator; fighting in class; chasing one another around the classroom; packing up early, as if to leave; taking the educator’s property; wearing bizarre clothing and make-up; threatening the educator; leaving class early; and commenting on the work, all this indiscipline aroused the interest of the researcher on redefining discipline in a contemporary school setting.

1.3     Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine discipline and how to redefine it in this contemporary school settings, specifically the study intends to:

1.     Find out how to redefine discipline in this contemporary school settings

2.     Examine the concept of indiscipline and the factors that influence

3.     Find out the opinion of different schools stakeholders on redefining discipline in contemporary school setting

4.     Investigate hoe indiscipline can be stopped and maintain discipline in secondary schools.

1.4     Research Question

1.     What are the factors that influence indiscipline and the effect is has on students?

2.     How can discipline be redefine in a contemporary school settings?

3.     What is the opinion of different schools stakeholders on redefining discipline in contemporary school setting?

4.     How can indiscipline be stopped and maintain discipline in secondary schools?

1.5     Research Hypothesis

Ho: there is no significant effects of indiscipline on students

Hi: there is significant effects of indiscipline on students

1.6     Significance of the Study

This study will be helpful to school administrators, teachers, parents, students themselves and Government in other way and other education stakeholders in Tanzania through various concepts as done and results as found. Second, the study also will be helpful to the Policy makers in the Ministry of Education and regulations for discipline maintenance and define solutions for solving various indiscipline problems that occur in schools. Third, this study will help to provide guides to the teachers to administer rules and regulations against indiscipline in a school setting to ensure good academic performance and production of a responsible citizen.

1.7     Scope of the Study

This research work be conducted in Lagos state, secondary schools in Ikeja LGA will be used to collect data.

1.8     Delimitation of the Study

Finance for the general research work will be a challenge during the course of study. Correspondents also might not be able to complete or willing to submit the questionnaires given to them.

However, it is believed that these constraints will be worked on by making the best use of the available materials and spending more than the necessary time in the research work. Therefore, it is strongly believed that despite these constraint, its effect on this research report will be minimal, thus, making the objective and significance of the study achievable.

1.9     Definition of Terms

Discipline. The readiness or ability to respect authority and observe conventional or established laws of the society of any other organization. It implies self-control, restraint, aspect of respect and respect for others.

Indiscipline: A breach of social order, good moral behavior, self-accepted and self-maintained social values of life. It is disobedience to authority, lack of respect for self and others.

Contemporary: things are modern and relate to the present tim