INDISCIPLINE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Abstract
The study investigated indiscipline among secondary school Students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The study adopted a survey research design in the study. The population of the study was 3000 students. The sample for this study was 180 respondents. Twenty four (24) SS2 students from each of the six schools and five teachers from each of the chosen schools were randomly selected. A total number of 144 students and 30 teachers plus all the six principals to make a grand total of 180 respondents were used as the sample size for the study. A self—developed questionnaire was used to generate data for the study. The study was guided by four research questions. A test-retest procedure was used in determining the reliability of the instrument, SA strongly agree = 4, Agree = 3, Disagree = 2, Strongly Disagree using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient, which yielded 0.75 correlation coefficient. Mean statistics was used in answering formulated research questions. The findings revealed that curriculum content, parental training, teachers/school administration and students are causes of indiscipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu L.G.A of Ebonyi State. It was also found that cultism, indecent dressing, lack of respect to school authorities and examination malpractice contribute to lack of discipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu L.G.A of Ebonyi State. From the findings the study recommended that teachers should be well trained, and also made to understand that as role models they should show good examples. The Government should also provide adequate security and learning facilities to students and staff to enable them work well.
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Indiscipline
is one of the major problems hindering the normal development of youths in the society especially students in post primary schools.
Indiscipline
as it concerns achievement of educational goals, has received a lot of attention.
Edem (2001)states that
indiscipline
is the violation of school rules and regulations which is capable of obstructing the smooth and orderly functioning of the school system should be consequently avoided through perfect orientation of students and imposition of positive sanction in case of obvious violation of the order.
Indiscipline is the inability of students and/or teachers to respect authority observe and obey school rules and regulations. It is also a social disorder which hampers a high standard of behaviour conducive to maintenance of teaching learning process.
Nwanna (2005) carried out a study of the major offences committed by students in some schools in the Western region and found that some of the most frequently committed offences include stealing, lying, bulling, lateness to school, rioting, cruelty, absence and truancy.
Soya (2006) in his study found that students these days
block the school entrance thereby preventing others, the principal and staff gaining entrance into the school premises. Such was another form of indiscipline behavior exhibited by youths these days. This act is termed socially as maladjusted. Some of the disciplinary measures adopted by the various school authorities are canning, suspension, manual labor, expulsion, deprivation of privileges etc.
Indiscipline is like a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society. It breeds lawlessness and lawlessness brings crime, and consequently self-destruction. Indiscipline in schools contributes to lack of success in one’s life, if allowed to linger on for a long time. It is in this view of the above that the researcher was moved to carry out this study.
Statement of the Problem
Anchored on the fact that indiscipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government area caused problems such as cruelty, rioting, bullying, lateness to school, truancy etc.
The source of indiscipline among secondary school students is an educational problem that needs to be solved. It is quite a common sight for students misbehaving in one way or the other. The problem inherent in indiscipline cannot be over-emphasized.
Parents complain about the behaviour of their children. Schools also experience unusual behaviour from their students. The society at large witnesses instances, unruly behaviours among students and youths Adesina, (2004). Considering the prevalence of unruly behaviour manifested by our students and the apparent after effects of such behaviours, not only the students but also the society at large. The problems are cruelty, rioting, bullying, lateness to school, truancy etc. The concern of this study therefore is to investigate the nature of indiscipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study is to examine indisciplinary acts among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Specifically, the study set to find.
1. Types of indisciplinary behavior among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
2. Causes of indiscipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
3. Effects of indiscipline on students’ performance in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
4. Strategies to control indiscipline among secondary school
Students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Significance of the Study
The study is of significance to many categories of people viz: The students, Teachers, Government, School authority, Parents and the society at large. For students, the study would help them to understand some shortcomings of indiscipline behaviour. Also they would know that it pays to be well disciplined.
The society would also benefit at the end of studying this research in the sense that the study will provide them with the idea of forming action group for the curbing of indiscipline and also for inculcating acceptable code of conducts in the youth generally. The study would also be useful to the government in formulating policies that will ensure a discipline and patriotic behavior on the part of the students. This study will enable the, school author to be aware of the causes of indiscipline among secondary school student and this will help them to find strategies which they will implement in the school in order to reduce the high rate of indiscipline in the various school.
Teachers will be well equipped on how best to handle indiscipline students in order to carry them along to achieve a better standard of academic excellence. Again, Parents will be better informed on their roles as primary assignment which is to grow and train their children to be able to conform to rules and regulations wherever they find themselves. Hence, there is a saying that says that “charity begins at home”.
Scope of the Study
The study focused on examining indiscipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Specifically, the item that the researcher will cover include, causes of indiscipline among secondary school students, effects of indiscipline among secondary school students, and the strategies that could be adopted to control indiscipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State
Research Questions
1. What are the types of indiscipline displayed among secondary =school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State?
2. What are the causes of indiscipline among secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State?
3. What are the effects of indiscipline on the secondary school students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State?
4. What are the strategies that could be adopted to control indiscipline among secondary, schools students in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State?
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