A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2013 / The aim of this study was to pursue an investigation into educators’ perception of discipline in rural high schools. To establish educators’ perception of discipline in high schools and to investigate the role code of conduct of learners plays in exercising effective discipline in secondary and high schools. From the literature study it became clear that the purpose of discipline is to maintain order by assisting learners to realise the value and necessity of obeying disciplinary rules and to accept responsibility for their behaviour. The purpose of discipline rules in schools (code of conduct for learners) is to establish an orderly, safe and productive school environment, devoted to a culture of teaching and learning. Therefore, effective implementation of discipline rules will promote positive discipline, self-discipline and exemplary conduct as learners learn by observation and experience. For the purpose of the empirical investigation a self-structured questionnaire completed by educators in secondary and high schools, was utilised. The questionnaires were analysed by means of descriptive statistics. In conclusion, a summary was presented on the findings of the literature and empirical study and the following are some of the recommendations that were made: • Preventative approaches to manage discipline in the classroom. Emphasis to be placed on positive discipline which teaches learners self-discipline, tolerance and accountability. • Techniques of discipline, procedures to deal with discipline; alternatives for punishment. • Workshops that will cater for all educators in identifying forms of discipline be organised. • Short courses that focus on strategies to exercise discipline in the classroom be conducted. • School environment should take advantage of technological advances and install security cameras that assist to detect learner indiscipline as educators cannot be everywhere at any given time.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Georgia Southern University, 2007. / "A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education." Education Administration, under the direction of Linda M. Arthur. ETD. Electronic version approved: December 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-75) and appendices.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Management at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2014. / This study was influenced by a variety of disciplinary problems experienced by educators in rural secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Educators regard discipline as a problem which they have to endure everyday. Teaching and learning have become difficult in some schools, and impossible in others, because some educators do not understand how to foster discipline in classrooms. The concern here is quality management and the fostering of disciplinary measures in schools. One of the important characteristics of an effective school is good discipline. The problem is that effective school discipline does not happen by chance; it has to be planned and implemented in an organised manner. The purpose of the study was to investigate the nature of discipline, and how principals of schools in rural secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal perceive and manage discipline in their schools.The researcher chose Zululand district in KwaZulu-Natal as the field of study because that is where most rural schools are. The “mixed method research design” (the quantitative and qualitative approaches) was used in combination to provide a better understanding of research problems. Two hundred and sixty (260) schools were randomly selected. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and interviews. The following are some of the key findings that emanated from the empirical study:  Schools have the following policies: discipline policy; code of conduct for learners; code of conduct for educators and alternatives to corporal punishment but their implementation is poor.  Principals of schools still regard corporal punishment as a disciplinary option.  Schools in rural KwaZulu-Natal still resist the use of alternative punishments.  Schools have the problem of dysfunctional members of the governing bodies.  Parents do not cooperate with schools.  A high percentage of educators are not willing to enforce discipline. On the basis of the above findings the researcher recommends among other measures that principals of schools should implement the policies they have put in place. The Department of Education should empower newly appointed principals by giving them an induction course in management in order to ensure that they have the required skills. Principals should receive training in changes that are taking place in education; for instance, the implementation of alternatives to corporal punishment, legislation and regulations that govern discipline and punishment in schools and parent involvement strategies. Principals must work collaboratively with the school governing body, educators, learners and parents to formulate a unifying mission and develop school rules that will take care of discipline, the indispensable foundation for all other scholastic success.