MANAGEMENT OF LEARNER’S INDISCIPLINE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN
BUYENDE TOWN COUNCIL IN BUYENDE DISTRICT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
This chapter covers the back ground to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, objectives of the study, research questions, scope of the study, significance of the study and limitations to the study.
1.1 Back ground of the study
In any civilized society, the fostering of discipline is a necessary condition on the maintenance of law and order. It is a pre-requisite for the promotion of political, social and economic development of a society or nation achieves is to a large extent a function by its various organs and what they are able to inculcate on the youth is very essential in order to ensure loyalty of the citizens and to the social and economic development of the country (Bieketty, 2014).
The family as agent of socialization could have significant impact on the child. This is evident from the fact that is the first place, which the child learns about the environment and the world at large. Parents inculcate in the child their acquired behavioural patterns. The school as agent of socialization and training is responsible for molding our future leader and improving manpower needed in our society. Indiscipline rears its ugly head through the form of lack of local commitment and dedication to work, lateness to work. Absenteeism, neglect of duty and parents who feels less concern about their children by going out to work very early and coming late when the children are already asleep. All these have a way of retarding progress of work and also limit out effectiveness and efficiency, Idoko (2005).
In Ugandan primary schools today, learners are habitual late comers; this is contrary to the school rules and regulations. They leave school premises without permission; do not bring their books to school; refuse to do their homework; reject any kind of authority and resist any disciplinary measures taken against them. Teachers on the other hand, are always absent from school; present ill-prepared lessons; fail to exercise discipline in the classroom and lack a professional work ethic.
According to Bieketty (2004), lack of discipline and respect amongteachers causes a severe barrier to effective teaching and learning in the classroom. Discipline has been underestimated by over actualizing freedom and rights, an understatement of responsibilities and obligations, marginalization of the authority of the head teacher, poor role models by some teachers, lack of punctuality, abandonment from classes by both learners and teachers and the unionist attitude of some teachers. The head teachers as school managers need to have an effective leadership style so as to acquaint them with the challenges of disciplining learners, Everard and Morris (2009).
Safety at school has become doubted as a result of frequent outburst of violence, consequently affecting the quality of learning and level of academic attainment and school enrolment (Van, 2008). Situations in any given school at any time are unpredictable and everybody has the reason to fear since violence can erupt at any time (Zulu, et al., 2004). In the recent past, there has been a wave of pupils’ indiscipline in which school properties have been destroyed, lives lost and disruptions of the normal functioning of the school system. This appears to have affected the whole primary schools in Uganda. But the major concern is that why has other regions of Uganda recovered in terms of academic performance of affected schools? What has made schools in Buyende district lag behind? There is therefore need to investigate whether discipline of pupils in primary schools in order for the performance to improve.
1.2 Statement of the problem
School administrators continue with maintaining conducive learning environment by ensuring the operation of discipline in school for good academic performance. However, the researcher has discovered that in recent times pupils’ poor academic performance is attributed to school’s administrator, teacher and pupil indiscipline. Indiscipline in schools can manifest itself in pupils’ violent behaviours, poor disciplinary style, ineffectiveness and inefficiency of teacher, poor time management, and ineffective code of conduct and so on. These acts of indiscipline engage by the schools disrupt learning and have direct impact on pupils’ achievement. Therefore the study seeks to investigate pupils’ indiscipline and its impact on academic performance.
1.3 Purpose of the study
The main purpose of the study is to investigate the management of learners’ indiscipline and its effect on academic performance in primary schools in Buyende town council
1.4 Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study will be to:
- establish the reasons for indiscipline among pupils in primary schools in Buyende town council
- examine the effect of pupils’ indiscipline on academic performance in primary schools in Buyende town council
- establish ways of promoting pupils’ discipline in primary schools in Buyende town council
1.5 Research questions
The research questions are:
- What are the reasons for indiscipline among pupils in primary schools in Buyende town council
- How does pupils’ indiscipline affect academic performance in primary schools in Buyende town council
- What are the ways of promoting pupil’s discipline in primary schools in Buyende town council
1.6 Scope of the study
1.6.1 Content scope
The study specifically will investigate the management of learners’ indiscipline and its effect on academic performance in primary schools in Buyende town council. It will focus on the reasons for indiscipline among pupils in primary schools, the effect of pupils’ indiscipline on academic performance in primary schools and ways of promoting pupils’ discipline in primary schools in Buyende town council.
1.6.2 Geographical scope
The study will be conducted in primary schools in Buyende town council. Buyende town council is located in Buyende district. Buyende is a town in the Eastern Region of Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative, and commercial centre of Buyende District. Buyende is approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi), by road, north of Jinja, the largest city in the Busoga sub-region. This is approximately 180 kilometres (110 mi), by road, northeast of Kampala, the capital of Uganda and its largest city.
1.6.3 Time scope
The study will cover a period of four months. This will be considered adequate to collect the relevant data and analysis of the policies and performance of schools.
1.7 Significance of the study
It is hoped that the study will provide useful information to primary school education stakeholders in Buyende town council including teachers, head teachers, parents, district education officers and Ministry of Education and Sports officials in proper planning and implementation of discipline policies in primary school education
To the teachers, the study is likely to provide useful information on their role as supervisors and planners of the teaching and learning activities at the same time teachers will acknowledge their special importance in school as pupils‟ role models
The study findings will be helpful to the Government of Uganda in solving the escalating problems of indiscipline that are widely spread in most schools.
1.8 Limitations to the Study.
Language barrier; especially where some of the respondents are not fluent in English. This will necessitate the researcher to use a language similar to that of the respondents
The researcher anticipates limited cooperation from the respondents. This will be due to their own reasons among themselves being that they have limited time and interest in providing the information required. However, the researcher will explain the purpose of the research and convince them to participate in the study.
Inadequate financial support is also anticipated as one of the major problems that the researcher anticipants to encounter. However, the researcher will solicit for funds from relatives and friends.
