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IAA Journal of Education 8(1):97-106, 2022. ISSN: 2636-7270
©IAAJOURNALS

Effects of Indiscipline on Academic Performance in Kabwohe-Itendero


Town Council, Sheema District
John Birihanze
Department of Management Kampala International University, Uganda.

ABSTRACT
Indiscipline however is a relative term but has been taken to mean the state of disorder
where people’s forms of behaviour are out of step with the established authority. This
study was conducted to establish the effects of indiscipline on pupils’ academic
performance in Kabwohe-Itendero Town Council, Sheema District. It was guided by the
following objectives: To identify the forms of indiscipline in primary schools of
Kabwohe-Itendero Town Council; To establish the factors that affect pupils’ discipline
in Primary schools of Kabwohe-Itendero Town Council; To find out how indiscipline
affects pupils’ academic performance in Primary schools of Kabwohe-Itendero Town
Council. There is rampant indiscipline among pupils in the selected primary schools in
Kabwohe-Itendero Town Council. It is the influence of peer pressure coupled with the
fact that pupils are adolescents that has contributed to indiscipline cases. Teachers
have a cardinal role and responsibility to perform in enforcing discipline among pupils
in order to boost pupils’ academic performance in primary schools. A disciplined
community is dependent on the zeal of the teachers to shape pupils as disciplined and
responsible pupils and citizens. The most effective strategy to maintain discipline in
school is by use of dialogue and creating an understanding among pupils more so their
leaders about the need to live in a disciplined society both at school and beyond.
Appreciation of this philosophy is a key to discipline maintenance, which goes a long
way in improving academic performance.
Keywords: Indiscipline, Academic Performance and philosophy

INTRODUCTION
[1] presented three definitions of learning, pupils’ discipline is of
discipline as applied in schools: (a) a paramount importance. Pupils’
punitive intervention; (b) a means of discipline implies that the pupils are
suppressing or eliminating an provided with an opportunity to
inappropriate behaviour by teaching or exercise self-control to solve school
reinforcing appropriate behaviour, and problems, learn and promote school
redirecting potentially inappropriate welfare and academic performance.
behaviour towards acceptable ends; and Discipline as used here connotes
(c) a process of self-control whereby the orderliness. Orderliness is essential for
(potentially) misbehaving pupil applies good and sympathetic, cooperative,
techniques that interrupt inappropriate honest, and considerate. In a school
behaviour, and that replace with setting, pupils are required to follow the
acceptable behaviour. school rules and regulations which
Discipline means the ability to control every pupil must obey and comply to
one’s behaviour or situation or the way such a set of rules as a manifestation of
one lives. Indiscipline however is a discipline [3]. These rules and
relative term but has been taken to regulations give learners a sense of
mean the state of disorder where direction. It is the work of every
people’s forms of behaviour are out of educationist to fight indiscipline as the
step with the established authority [2]. two; academic performance and
Indiscipline is the quality of having discipline are complementary to each
unacceptable behaviour, especially in other.
society. For effective teaching and

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METHODOLOGY
A detailed description of the area of Procedure
study, characteristics of the subjects, The Department Head (Education) at
sample size, sampling strategy, data Ankore Western Institute of Science and
collection, procedure, and data analysis Technology introduced the researcher
used in the study are given. to the respondents through an
Research design introductory letter. The researcher
A survey design as use; involves the explained the purpose of the study to
collection of data from a sample all the respondents in order to establish
population of a group of people a rapport and build confidence among
associated with the education process them.
and system. The study was explanatory The researcher issued questionnaires to
in a bid to get detailed information. This teachers for filling in, and collected
was meant to help the researcher to them as soon the filling in was
intensively study the effects of boarding completed. Interviews were arranged
facilities on academic profane of and held between the researcher and the
primary school pupils. respective head teachers of the selected
Sample schools.
The study was conducted in primary Instruments
schools of KITC. The area was chosen Questionnaires: Responses from
because the researcher being a teacher teachers were obtained by use of close
in the same locality had observed and open-ended questionnaires. The
rampant indiscipline alongside poor questionnaires were used to seek
academic performance. personal judgement on the effect of
Subject sample indiscipline on pupils’ academic
Two boarding schools and three-day performance in KITC, Sheema District.
schools were randomly picked using Interview guide: Head teachers were
stratified random sampling. This was engaged in an interview, which reflected
important to ensure that both day and all study variables, objectives, and
boarding primary schools were questions. This helped the researcher
represented for comparison purposes. generate more detailed information
The five schools represented the 11 from supplements on responses
established primary schools as of 2006. contained in questionnaires.
Sampling strategy Data analysis
From the above sampled schools, by use Both qualitative and quantitative
of simple random sampling, 10 teachers methods were used. The numeric data
from each school were selected to take was analysed using Excel computer
part in the study. Head teachers for the package and summaries were drawn
respective schools were purposively using Microsoft Word processor. This
selected to provide additional helped to develop tables and charts for
information. In total, 55 respondents easy interpretation and presentation of
participated in the study. the final report.
RESULTS
Data presentation, analysis and indiscipline on pupils’ academic
interpretation were done according to performance in KITC, Sheema District.
the research questionnaire and study The five headteachers were asked to
variables are presented in form of mention the commonest forms of
descriptive statistical tables and indiscipline manifested in their
percentages. The purpose of the study respective schools. Their responses are
was to examine the effects of summarised in table 1

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Table1: Common forms of indiscipline in primary schools of KITC
Form Frequency Percentage
Escapism 5 100
Bullying / teasing 5 100
Stealing 3 60
Sexual abuse 2 40
Truancy 2 40
Drug abuse 2 40
Cheating of examinations 5 100

It is clear that teasing /bullying, Factors affecting the discipline of


cheating of examinations as well as primary schools in KITC
escapism were found in every school as The researcher investigated the
revealed by the 100% response from prevalence rate of indiscipline in the
headteachers. Sexual abuse, drug abuse selected schools, and later established
and truancy were the least reported with the major causes of indiscipline in the
a 40% turn of responses. study area. Tables 2, 3, and 4 reveal the
findings.

Table 2: Prevalence of indiscipline in schools


Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 36 78
No 10 22
Total 46 100

Table 2 shows that indiscipline was pupils. Very few schools seem to have
looming high in the selected schools encountered noticeable indiscipline as
with 36 respondents (78%) accepting revealed by 10 respondents (22%).
have encountered the problem. This Teachers alone were later requested to
revelation was confirmed by head mention the major causes of
teachers who confessed having had indiscipline in their respective schools.
indisciplined characters among their Table 3 summarises the findings below:
Table 3: Teachers response on the major causes of indiscipline
Cause Response Frequency Percentage
Lack of parental Yes 35 70
guidance No 10 20
I don’t know 05 10
Total 50 100
Weak school Yes 29 60
administration No 15 29
I don’t know 5 11
Total 49 100

It is evident that lack of parental boy children who tend to disrespect


guidance has led to indiscipline in their parents as former grow up.
schools as accepted by 35 teachers Table 3 also shows that poor school
representing 70% of the teacher administration was to blame for
respondents. Very few 20% (n=10) of the indiscipline which idea was supported
respondents were not sure whether lack by majority 60% (n=29) of the
of parental guidance could lead to respondents. Such administration
indiscipline of children. The majority systems that do not apprehend culprits
response was confirmed by the encourage further and more
headteachers who also acknowledged indiscipline. However, minority 29%
that the existence of indiscipline in their (n=15) of the respondents thought that
schools and attributed it to lack of since schools had guiding rules, then
parental guidance. This form of the administration had done enough.
indiscipline is mainly prominent among
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However, when further probed on the sex schools yet boys could behave
extent school rules and regulations may differently from girls.
be loose, teachers pointed accepted that Head teachers were asked to identify
the enforcement was not as serious as the factors that have accelerated
would have been desired especially indiscipline in their schools.
since most primary schools are mixed

Table 4 shows the summary of the findings.


Cause Frequency Percentage
Peer group pressure 3 60
Family background 3 60
Pornography 5 100
Permissiveness 5 100
Moral decadence 3 60
Drug abuse 2 50
Harsh school rules 3 60
Bad feeding 4 80

It was unanimously evident that a abuse of drugs as minority 50 (n=2) of


number of causes come together to the respondents asserted its value
cause indiscipline in the selected despite the schools being located in an
schools. Table 4 shows pornography urban place.
and permissiveness rank highest in Effect of indiscipline of academic
causing indiscipline. Bad feeding was performance in primary schools
yet another significant cause as The researcher wanted to find out
consented by majority 80% (n=4) of the whether there is a significant difference
five headteachers. Other causes such as in performance of learners who are
peer pressure, family background and disciplined and those that were not. She
harsh rules could not be asked teachers to ascertain this, and the
underestimated. There was minimum findings are summarised in table 5.

Table 5: Indiscipline leads to poor academic performance


Option Frequency Percentage
Yes 30 68
No 14 32
I do not know 00 00
Total 44 100
Although six teachers decided not to performing pupils are rather quiet and
respond to the item, it is evident that less socially pronounced in the school.
indiscipline leads to poor academic Teachers were further asked to
performance as put forward by majority ascertain the effect of indiscipline on
68% (n=30) of the respondents. Pupils in school programmes. Table 6 is a
the sampled schools confirmed this summary of the findings.
when they agreed that the best

Table 6: Indiscipline disrupts school programmes and pupils’ learning


Option Frequency Percentage
Yes 35 70
No 10 20
I don’t know 5 10
Total 50 100

Table 6 is a manifestation of the fact agree that only indiscipline was to


that indiscipline surely deters academic blame for the pupils’ poor academic
programmes as supported by 70% performance. Headteachers also agreed
(n=35) of the respondents. Only 10% that indiscipline was a primary reason
(n=5) of the respondents could not for the declining results at PLE.

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When further probed on the extent to In this section, data concerning possible
which discipline is related to academic remedies through which pupils’
performance, head teachers stressed discipline can be controlled is
that discipline is a basis of improving presented, the various respondents gave
pupils’ academic performance because a their own views, which the researcher
disciplined pupil is easily taught. presents in tables to follow:
Table 7: The need for concerted efforts between teachers, pupils and
administration

Response Frequency Percentage


Yes 30 64
No 14 30
I do not know 03 6
Total 47 100

Majority 64% (n=30) of the respondents of the respondents did not have the
acknowledged the need for an certainty over the same idea. It is there
agreement between pupils, teachers and important that discipline be looked at as
the administration on issues concerning a compound item rather than a single
discipline of the pupils. Only 6% (n=3) unit.

Table 8: Discipline is a collective responsibility


Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 25 50
No 20 40
I do not know 5 10
Total 50 100

An all-round approach is required in cordial rapport between all the key


maintaining discipline in schools. This players that have a stake in education
was a stand take by majority 50% (n=25) whether at home, school or national
of the respondents. All the stakeholders, level. The successful enforcement of
including parents, teachers, pupils, school rules and regulations, and
head teachers and the general guidance and counselling are
community in and around the school prerequisites to maintaining pupils’
have a role to play in nurturing a child discipline. It was cited that indiscipline
towards a responsible educated citizen. is easier to manage at a lower stage of
Head teachers were also asked about the its manifestation than when it has
extent of enforcement of the strategies exploded to higher levels with higher
to maintain discipline. Their major ages of pupils.
response was that there should be a
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This is based on the results of study as interview with the head teachers. The
presented and analysed above. It chapter then includes conclusion and
discusses findings reached at while suggests some recommendations based
answering research questions and on research findings.
DISCUSSION
Forms of indiscipline institutions as mass disobedience,
According to teachers, pupils and head deliberate breaches of school rules and
teachers are the causes of indiscipline regulations, rampant drunkenness at
in the selected primary schools. Indeed, school, truancy, excessive bullying of
this indiscipline does exist in the new pupils by the old ones, among
sampled schools; however, this was others. The sampled schools fall short
confirmed by teachers who also of being free from pupils’ unrest.
acknowledged the existence of Teachers and head teachers
indiscipline caused in the sampled acknowledged the breach of school
schools. Hence, as [4] identified some of rules and regulations characterises most
the forms of indiscipline in educational of the selected schools. It was also
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pointed out that the enforcement of administration. If the administration
school rules and regulations was loose, cannot seal all the loopholes that give
especially in mixed sex primary schools. way to indiscipline, then upheavals are
[5] had earlier argued that there’s need bound to erupt. This is in agreement
for a respectable code of conduct to with [7] who laments that teachers’
guide he society and save us of pupils’ unprofessional behaviour which may
misconduct which can result into include excessive drinking of alcohol,
restlessness in schools. Hence, cases of immoral love affairs with school
indiscipline are not divorced from the children, neglect of duty, corruption,
indirect ones, the main gist of the partnering with pupils and consequently
argument is that the latter are a direct revealing confidential administrative
result of the former, he cited the matters to them deliberately
following as immediate or direct causes undermines school authority. This may
of misconduct / indiscipline in schools: result into lack of direction on the side
The study revealed that from teachers’ of the pupils escalating indiscipline.
and pupils’ refusal to go to class, It was revealed by teachers and pupils
shouting or refusing to go to class are that poor feeding was yet another major
some of the cases of deviant behaviours source of discipline problems in
in schools. Hence, indiscipline cases are primary schools. Inadequate academic
exhibited when pupils defy school rules teaching materials have a direct bearing
and regulations put in place to maintain on the quality of teaching but because
orderliness. However, a weak law is the of inadequacy of these materials,
starting point for the failure of pupils to teaching adversely affected in many
comply. Hence if school rules are weak schools as parents are usually called
and the administration generally is poor upon to make substantial contribution
and ineffective, there is a direct bearing for some of these items. This creates
on pupils’ discipline and consequently suspicion among parents and their
the academic performance of the children plus the general public. Hence
school. This is in agreement with [6] pupils are likely to attack school
who adds that the nature of school rules authority under cover of demanding for
and regulations is to blame for the scholastic materials.
indiscipline of pupils. This obviously The study found from teachers and
has a direct bearing on the academic pupils that delinquent and maladjusted
performance of learners. pupils these are found to in any
Factors that affect pupils’ discipline in situation such children with personality
primary schools defects due to social problems can turn
According to teachers and head out to be trouble causers in schools.
teachers, the age at which children enrol They can be good at influencing others
for primary education also determines to cause indiscipline cases and in
their behaviour. Adolescence stage organising them into destructive
tempts the young people into violating groups. Such could be the explanation
school rules and regulations. Majority of behind the increasing fires in schools. If
the teachers consented that adolescent such pupils are confronted with a faulty
stage was a trying moment for pupils’ school administration, there is a direct
discipline wise. The study revealed that bearing on school discipline since some
delinquent and maladjusted pupils are head teachers tend to personalise
bound to be found in any situation. schools in such a way that they use the
Such children with personality defects school property as their personal
due to social problems can turn out to property.
be trouble causers. They can be good at The nature of school rules may also
influencing others to cause indiscipline have a direct bearing on discipline
cases in school. problems in primary schools as revealed
It was revealed by teachers that teasing by the respondents. Many primary
which in extreme cases was bullying schools are so huge that effective
was common in primary schools. Other administration is hampered by sheer
cases of indiscipline including numbers of pupils. Due to large
escapism, and stealing. This could be numbers KF pupils, the school head in
attributed to the nature of such schools is viewed as a mere
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administrative head. He is divorced institutions has been added to reinforce
from the centre of the stage on the academic achievements. The placement
operation. Since the pupils lack and categorisation of schools based on
individual attention from teachers and performance was also correlated highly
the head, they feel isolated and with the discipline record of the same
rejected. Those pupils with serious schools. Discipline affects teaching and
social problems take advantage of these learning and consequently has bearing
fluid situations to do mischief since on the academic achievements of the
they feel they cannot be easily same pupils.
identified in the crowd. This tallies with It was found out from teachers, pupils,
[8] who said that while exercising and head teachers that discipline breeds
punitive control, teachers use order in the school setting and all
aggressive styles of behaviour, unlike school programmes go on as planned.
those they wish to discourage. This us in line with the positive
Recipients may on later occasions adopt approach as supposed by [10] and [11]
similar aggressive solutions in coping who pointed out that discipline is a
with the problems confronting them. In desirable aspect as a means to an end.
Uganda, some primary school teachers There should be faith in the desire and
are not aware that before they exercise ability among pupils to do the right and
any punitive control on pupils, it is socially accepted thing. This is the
necessary that they assess their reason why pupils should be the origin
perceptions of this punitive control. It is of discipline. Schools as a socialising
upon this background that teachers are agent must be founded on good
called upon to use a balanced approach discipline to build the capacity and
to discipline as stipulated in their code personality of the pupils towards better
of conduct. citizens.
The study also reveals that teachers, Effective teaching and learning can be a
pupils, and head teachers agrees that dream that will never come true unless
home and community influence the the pupils are disciplined. Chaos,
discipline of pupils. The old social and confusion and violence prevail and
cultural values affect pupils’ discipline. sometimes strikes are the result of this.
Parents today especially the elites Some affected pupils will repeat classes,
impart values that are in conflict with others lose interest and could drop out
those being enforced by school of schools following a series of poor
administrators. Parents in urban areas performance due to reduced attention
are lenient about social life of children accorded to academics. [12] agrees that
in respect of dances, drinking, videos, pupils’ need to fulfil their desires leads
and even sex. Schools’ rules strictly to indiscipline. Such culprits neglect
prohibit these activities. Hence, pupils studying and take it on simply to
are between the two worlds. The conform with the expectations of their
situation is carefree at home and there parents. The result is poor academic
will be a problem for the learners to performance at examinations.
adjust to the strict school environment, [13] believes that sexual indiscipline in
especially in boarding schools. the form of fornication may result into
Effects of indiscipline on pupils’ unwanted pregnancies among other
academic performance disturbances that have swayed the
It was agreed by teachers and performance of the girl child in schools.
headteachers that indiscipline leads to Girls spend a lot of time worrying about
poor academic performance. In such problems and they do not
situations of indiscipline, there is poor concentrate on their studies, their poor
pupils’ academic performance. This is academic performance is not a surprise.
in conformity with [9] who emphasised Discipline sincerely ensures a good
the role of discipline in education and teaching and learning environment,
put it that there must be discipline in all hence enhancing academic success.
educational institutions including Discipline could best be implemented as
primary schools if education is to be a concerted effort between teachers,
effective. Alongside examinations, pupils and administrators. This
discipline among our education revelation was no secret to all of the
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respondent categories. It is important the former should think of what
that all the stake holders be involved in punishment could do to their
maintaining discipline in school. [5] relationship between the pupils and
considers immaturity of some young teacher, and the emotional scars left
teachers to have a serious negative behind on pupils. The study
impact on the pupils’ discipline and respondents asserted that school rules
consequently their academic and regulations should be effectively
performance. The fact that some implemented by the entire school led by
teachers seek cheap popularity of their the administration. There is also need
clients-the pupils, leads to reduced to have good public relations to
respect and consequent indiscipline as enhance the participation of the
the learners feel no much gap between neighbouring communities in
them and the teachers. Some teachers’ maintaining the pupils’ discipline. An
methods of teaching and general all-round approach would create a
management of discipline are loose complete pupil and translate him/her
enough to allow pupils lots of freedom into a desirable self-sustaining citizen
and liberty to do whatever they want of the future generations. All stake
which in most cases are not in line with holders need to combine efforts
school rule and regulations. because pupils belong not only to
Teachers as custodians of day-to-day parents and teachers but to the entire
school administration have to be community. Their indiscipline will
conscious of pupils’ behaviour or else impact not only on the schools, but also
cases of indiscipline will remain high as the entire community in form of theft,
revealed by the respondents. This is in murder and general misconduct in
line with [9] who maintains that before society.
teachers inflict punishment onto pupils,
CONCLUSION
There is rampant indiscipline of pupils community is dependent on the zeal of
in the selected primary schools in KITC. the teachers to shape the pupils as
It is the influence of peer pressure, disciplined and responsible citizens.
family background, pornography, The most effective strategy to maintain
permissiveness, moral decadence, drug discipline in school is by dialogue and
abuse, harsh school rules and the fact creating an understanding among pupils
that pupils are adolescents that has in other to enable them live in a
contributed to indiscipline in primary disciplined society both at school and
schools. elsewhere. The pupils’ discipline should
Teachers, and head teachers have a be a responsibility of everyone and
cardinal role and responsibility to many stakeholders, not only teachers or
perform in enforcing discipline among parents alone. It is likely that best
pupils in order to boost pupils’ academic performers are also the most
academic performance. A disciplined well-behaved pupils in school.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To the policy makers: serve as good examples to scare
 There should be single sex others from the act.
schools to isolate boys from girls To the school administrators:
and reduce the problems  Schools should have counsellors
associated with sexual to who social problems of pupils
indiscipline of adolescents. could be reported to avoid direct
 School administrators should be conflict with the administration.
given refresher trainings on how  The enforcement of school rules
to modify their teaching and and regulation should be a
administrative approaches in the responsibility of everyone at
changing world of technology. school. Different other stake
 The Ministry of Education should holders such as parents should
come up strongly on the boys or actively get involved through
men who pregnant school girls. parent days, and class days
Punitive measures should be among others.
devised so that culprits would
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 The school should feed the School neigbours:
pupils appropriately and try as  The school neighbours should be
much as possible to minimise able and free to report any signs
upheavals resulting from bad of indiscipline sighted among
feeding. pupils in time.
 The school should have  Some resources such as water
suggestion boxes and the ideas points could be shared. There is
from pupils should be respected need to carefully teach the pupils
and if possible, acted upon the best practices in managing
before it gets too late. these resources than punishing
 The teachers would be well or scaring them away.
facilitated with teaching Parents and guardians:
materials and motivated to teach  Parents should ensure regular
and keep around school to attendance of school activities
ensure that pupils do not such as meetings and visiting
become redundant. days to help emphasised the
Teaching staff: discipline of their children.
 All teachers should respect the  While at home with their
professional code of conduct. If children, parents should create a
possible, it should be pinned on free environment for children to
the staff notice board for regular tell them their problems and
access. express their desires.
 Teachers should be exemplary in  “Like father like son”. Parents
their behaviour and be parental ought to be good examples for
as they administer punishment their children to emulate.
to avoid souring their Drinking and fighting are
relationship with pupils. prohibitable before children.
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