A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS AND CAUSES OF INDISCIPLINE AMONG STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS. A CASE STUDY OF OTA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY

Mbiti (2007:83) defines discipline as the moral capacity or disposition which when ingrained in the human capacity, becomes a powerful habit for self control. Discipline therefore involves the development of an informed conscience within the individual person as part of his or her personality. Jeng (2011) points out that indeed it encompasses training of the mind and character of a person which results to selfcontrol and a habit of obedience. The main reason why students attend school is to receive good education. Sound education can only be provided when there is discipline in schools. Discipline is the number one topic among others in education. Soet (2005:1), quoting Charles (1981), on attitude towards Education, stated that, teachers, parents, students and the public all place discipline at the top of their concern, with teachers ranking it at the top because it affects learning, their emotional lives and it outweighs all other factors combined in determining a teacher’s success. Jeng (2011) advises that students should understand that discipline is one of the most fundamental characteristics of a human being in school, in our homes and indeed everywhere in the world. Stakeholders concur that ensuring discipline in schools is top on the agenda because one cannot acquire knowledge without character. It is the one thing in learning that everyone expects and wants. Most educators agree that discipline is the one thing that can make or break a school, for without it, a teacher’s finest efforts may go to zero. People view discipline in different ways. For some people, discipline is equated with taking preventive measures.

According to Okumbe (1998) this type aims at taking precautionary measures and may assume the form of guidance or clarifying values and regulations to students. Padilla (2012), an experienced speaker who facilitates parent workshops for school districts in California, is also of the opinion that, it is indeed a positive procedure that emphasizes and rewards good behavior, instead of punishing bad behavior. Moving closer home, Kenya has not been spared the menace either. The rampant students riots and destruction of school property has been with us over the years and there are no signs it is about to abate. According to the Report on the Causes, Eects and Remedies of indiscipline in secondary schools in Central province, (MOEST, 2000) Public day secondary schools too have been actively involved in the unrests. This study was therefore necessary to carry out a study on the effects and causes of indiscipline among students in public secondary schools.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

One of the major growing problems in public secondary schools has always been lack of discipline among students. Most students have been found involved in many acts against rules of the school and thereby causing unrest in most public schools. So many students intentional abscond from school without the fear of been probed or disciplined. Indiscipline has drastically aected the academic performances of students in public secondary schools. Students are no longer acting in schools as expected but as they desired. Most students get to school very late and it has been observed that no disciplinary measures to taken into eect. Absenteeism and truancy has been a norm among students of public secondary schools. These problems make it obvious that there is a need to carry out a study on the effects and causes of indiscipline among students in public secondary schools, using Ota LGA as a case study.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of the research is to carry out a study on the effects and causes of indiscipline among students in public secondary schools, using Ota LGA as a case study. The specific objectives are: 1. To find out the nature of indiscipline among students in public secondary schools in Ota local government. 2. To ascertain the factors responsible for indiscipline among students in public secondary schools in Ota local government. 3. To know the effects of indiscipline among students in public secondary schools in Ota local government. 4. To examine the impact of indiscipline on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Ota LGA. 5. To assess the positive measures/strategies being put in place to arrest indiscipline among students in public secondary schools in Ota local government.