IMPACT OF DISCIPLINE ON INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG STAKEHOLDERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background to the Study

The existence of any educational system at whatever level cannot be effective without proper discipline and smooth interpersonal relationships. As this had constituted one of the essential variables instrumental to effective teaching and learning processes. Education is noted to be an effective instrument par excellence for effecting national and global development irrespective of the economic sector. It plays a veritable role in the communication process of its norms and values from one generation to another. Education, whether formal or traditional exists in every society. One of the most pressing issues in education is discipline at schools. School discipline and behavior management are isspues that every school administrator or teacher deals with on a daily basis. A major component of being an effective teacher is making correct classroom discipline decisions. (Fincham and Beach, 2010). Teachers who cannot manage students discipline in their classroom effectively are limited in their overall effectiveness in almost every other area of teaching.

School discipline is the system of rules, punishments, and behavioral strategies appropriate to the regulation of children/students or adolescents and the maintenance of order in schools. Its aim is to control the students’ actions and behaviour. An obedient student is in compliance with the school rules and codes of conduct. These rules may, for example, define the expected standards of clothing, timekeeping, social conduct, and work ethic. The term discipline in the opinion of Evertson and Emmer (2005), is also applied to the punishment that is the consequence of breaking the rules. The aim of discipline is to set limits restricting certain behaviors or attitudes that are seen as harmful or going against school policies, educational norms, school traditions, et cetera. According to him, discipline is an art that requires knowledge, skill, sensitivity, and self-confidence. Like any art, it is one that you will acquire through training and experience and it becomes easier with practice. Some people confuse discipline with classroom management. Discipline is one dimension of classroom management. It is how a teacher organizes his/her students, time, space, and materials so students can learn in the proper environment. Discipline in school system includes the classroom environment, the layout of the desks and chairs, the flow of teachers‟ lessons, space, time and materials. In any classroom, there is a wide range of behaviors. Students, as individuals, develop unique ways of responding to what goes around them. Most of these behaviours are appropriate and develop further when adults or peers show approval. Some behaviours are inappropriate which we call misbehaviour.

IMPACT OF DISCIPLINE ON INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG STAKEHOLDERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS