DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN OREDO AND OVIA SOUTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The acts of indiscipline among students especially at the secondary level of education is a universal challenge that is facing every school in all parts of the nation. Based on this realization, the study therefore explores the disciplinary practices among secondary school teachers in Oredo and Ovia South-West Local Government Areas of Edo State. The population covers all teachers in public secondary schools in the aforementioned local government areas. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey non-experimental design. A sample size of 295 was selected using the simple random sampling techniques. The data collected using structured questionnaire, were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages. The findings of this study revealed that various acts of indiscipline such as classroom disruption, truancy, violating school dress code and leaving school without permission were prevalent among secondary school students. It was also gathered that most teachers still adopted corporal punishment such use of cane, asking the offending student to kneel in front of the class, giving the student a portion of the field to cut, and blame. However few teachers employed the use of reward, praise, and deprivation of privileges. Also, the study shows clear disparity in the application of disciplinary measures among male and female teachers. The study recommended among other things that corporal punishment should be discouraged, and that teachers should maintain a calm, productive and conducive atmosphere for effective learning.