THE PERCEPTION OF TEACHERS ON THE CAUSES OF INDISCIPLINE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

For obvious reason, we might be tempted to undermine the theme of this paper. Reasons are not far fetched; the topic most academic will say is of common place discourse in the nook and crannies of the country and the world at large. However, we make bold to state here that these are mere assumptions. The topic demands our serious consideration and resolution because of its visible impediment to national growth and development. Currencies are without doubt apparent.

This being so, a clear understanding of a topic begin with an espies on the meaning of the term indiscipline. Indiscipline, a derivative of the word, discipline, according to the chambers twentieth century dictionary is a mode of life in accordance with rules subjection to control.

The oxford advance learner’s dictionary defines it as a lack of control in the behaviour of a group of people. Tulihi and Bello (1980) assert that indiscipline is the breaking of rule and regulation of institutions. According to Uwagie Ero et al (2002) indiscipline is a state of disorder used by lack of training and control to the end. Indiscipline can simply be seen as a mode of life not in conformity with rules and regulation capable of obstructing the smooth and orderly, functioning in the school system.

Adeyemo (1985) school rules and regulations in most cases do affect students more than any other thing because they are made by the school authorities in order to guide and protect the students while in school. The problem of indiscipline is more apparent among school students. Indiscipline among them has attracted serious attention of scholars and administrators. These scholars and administrators attribute indiscipline among public secondary school students in their state of development. They opined that when students notice certain biological changes signaling maturity in the course of their growth and development, they tend to misbehave by faulting school rules and regulations (Mukharjee 1985).

The causes of indiscipline are based on the acts of indiscipline among students in public secondary schools range from deviation from simple norms and instruction of heinous crime infact the list is inexhaustible. Ozula (1986) listed some act of indiscipline which include disobedience, vandalisation, quarreling, fighting, rioting, wickedness, absenteeism, violence, dishonesty, arson, idleness, disorderliness, laziness, smuggling, jealousy, gossip, drunkenness, greed, selfishness, discrimination, corruption, bribery, drug abuse, sex, and raping. Others are lawlessness, kidnapping, murder, oppression, misappropriation of fund and mismanagement. Disobedience is the mother of indiscipline. According to the Holy Bible, from the book of Genesis 1:26, 3:6 says that God created the world and made man above everything therein still man sinned-disobeyed God by eating the forbidding fruit the consequence of this indiscipline was great, God cursed man and drove him out of the garden of Eden.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

This study is geared towards the investigation of the survey of the perception of teachers on the causes of indiscipline among students in public secondary school and how to curb it. The following shall stand the basic research questions.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study is to

1)     find out societal influence on indiscipline

2)     find out whether home background causes students’ indiscipline

3)     investigate how poor school administration causes indiscipline

4)     find out if the influence of peer group has in any way contributed to the level of students’ indiscipline in school

5)     find out the effect of the mass media on indiscipline

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following shall stand as the basis of the research questions/hypothesis

1)     What are the causes, problems and solutions of indiscipline among public secondary school students?

2)     How does societal morals contribute to indiscipline?

3)     Does home background contribute to indiscipline?

4)     How does poor school administration affects students’ in disciplinary behaviour?

5)     Does peer group influence causes indiscipline?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study is to identify the causes and solutions of indiscipline among schools. These findings will go long way in exposing teachers and other school workers to the major cause of indiscipline in schools. And these will help the teachers in curbing indiscplinary behaviour in schools again, as a result of this research work, principals see their shortcomings and evolve a more effective approach to teaching and school management.

Lastly, the findings of the study would help parents, teachers, school administrators, government and society in general in knowing the various part they should play which could lead to indiscipline.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study has been limited to these four selected public secondary schools.

1)     Okada grammar school, Okada

2)     Ebomise secondary school, Ugbogiobo

3)     Elawure grammar school, Usen

4)     Ezomo college, Ora

However, the following factors discussed below played vital role in the limitation of the study.

Finance: the fact that there is no money to run the research work both in a way of visiting schools to collect data in terms of buying adequate vital role for the research like foolscap sheet and other materials the researcher processes effectively because of time.

Time: since there was enough time the researcher deems it necessary to limit study to some schools. In addition to the above mentioned facts, the absence of enough literature make it wise to limit the study in a certain area.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Indiscipline: it means deviating from the accepted norms, rules and regulation of the school society. It also means lack of self control and disorderly behaviour.

Discipline: with the relationship to this study, it is adherence to rules and regulation governing the schools.

Drug abuse: the act of habitually given or taking of drugs (especially harsh drugs).

Sex abuse: unapproved and indiscriminate sexual act.

vandalisation: willful destruction of schools or other students’ properties.

Riot: this takes the form of open confrontation and consequent revote against school authorities for trivial that are often over amplified by some militant students.

Trite: it often use and so dull.

Heinous: very wicked.

Oppression: way to repression students

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