SOCIETAL PERCEPTION OF CURBING INDISCIPLINE AMONG BASIC SCHOOL PUPILS IN THE BIREM NORTH DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

Competition, misunderstanding and mistrust are likely to occur when

people meet as a group which could ultimately result in conflict or

indiscipline. Since the school is a miniature of a society, conflict and

indiscipline are likely to occur too. In this regard, the researcher sought to

examine the extent to which the authorities manage to curb the level of

indiscipline in New-Abirem Junior High School in the Birem North District.

The population for the study comprised guidance co-ordinators,

teachers, parents and pupils of the schools in new Abirem Township. The

sample size was 148, comprising 80 pupils, 4guidance co-ordinators, 24

teachers and 40 parents from the four selected schools in New Abirem. The

instruments used were questionnaire and interview guide. The questionnaire

was pre-tested using 1 guidance co-ordinator, 5 teachers, 10 pupils and 5

parents in a school outside of those selected for main study.

The result of the study revealed that, the true meaning of discipline

refers to the ability and readiness to respect authority and to observe the

established laws of the society. It was established that, sexual problems and

other societal influences are considered serious cases of indiscipline. On the

basis of the findings, it was recommended that, those in higher authority

should co-operate with one another to maintain sound discipline among school

pupils. Also, the use of compromise and arbitrations should be maintained in

order to lower the level of indiscipline occurrence in the schools in the district.