The purpose of this study was to explore various aspects of discipline in
secondary schools inter alia the views of educators to changes regarding the
behaviour of learners today as compared to the past, the banning of corporal
punishment in schools, commitment to provide support, and to elicit alternative
methods of maintaining discipline. The study was an exploratory one aiming to
bring the views of the educator to the fore in clinical research. It was also
undertaken to spur other research into this area.
The study was undertaken with educators from the town of Verulam in the north
coast of Kwazulu- Natal, South Africa. All secondary schools in the area were
targeted. This was a possibility sample as it was peculiar to the context and is
valid because it does have resemblance to reality. The sample reflected the
remnants of the old apartheid educational structures. Various types of schools
were included inclusive of ex -House of Delegates, ex-Department of Education,
private and religion-based schools. The sample had semblance of the general
educator population. Educators in nine of the secondary schools responded to a
questionnaire. The structured questionnaire had a quantitative and qualitative
bias. The response rate was 58.3 percent. A statistical package was used to
analyse the statistical aspects of the questionnaire.
The results of the study indicate that educators believed that the incidents and
severity of learner misbehaviour had increased rapidly post 1996. A significantly
large number also stated that their superiors (the Department of Education-DOE)
have left a void with the banning of corporal punishment by provldinq little or no
alternatives to discipline learners. Many respondents believed that their authority
was undermined and it affected discipline and hence the culture of teaching and
learning. Serious offenders were handed to management of schools.
Management in schools were viewed as supportative although there was a call for consistency in the application of the schools' Code of Conduct. Numerous
methods of disciplining were suggested with the most popular being getting the
parent involved and personal counselling. Sadly, the third popular measure
believed to be effective was the use of corporal punishment, albeit it was used
by a small percentage of respondents. There was no significant difference in
views between male and female respondents. Various extraneous factors
influencing poor behaviour were postulated. The learners' background, role of
the parent and peer pressure, were viewed as most important. School
contextual factors such as large classes and poor resources were also noted.
Recommendations for better discipline and disciplinary measures were
highlighted. The study called for a review of the Code of Conduct as required by
the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, with the focus being immediacy and
relevance of sanctions and the more frequent use of the parent-component, of
the Schools' Governing Body, in discipline. A more pro-active stance on the part
of the DOE in assisting educators, in disciplinary measures, at grass-root level
was recommended. The study also recommended further research into discipline
and disciplinary measures at secondary schools. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/5222 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Narain, Anil P. |
| Contributors | Kasiram, Madhubala I. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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