Pupil indiscipline in the ‘no corporal punishment era’ in Zambia: trends and implications for management in schools.
Date
2020
Authors
Simuyaba, Eunifridah
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Zambian Journal of Educational Management, Administration and Leadership
Abstract
The article highlights contemporary issues in pupil indiscipline, trends and implications on
management in Zambian schools under the no-corporal punishment policy. Using a mixed methods
approach, a sample of a hundred and ten respondents was purposively and randomly sampled
and differentiated into school administrators, teachers, pupils and parents. Data collected through
interviews and questionnaires was analysed by descriptive statistics and themes. The study revealed
that pupil indiscipline had evolved into a myriad of new forms since the introduction of the ‘no
corporal punishment’ policy in Zambian schools. The major pupil indiscipline issues manifested
in increased aggressive behaviour amongst the pupils and within teacher-pupil relationship,
emergence of pupil (thuggery) gang and vandalism to school and private property. The main
drivers for the upswing in indiscipline were negative peer pressure, drug, alcohol and substance
abuse, lapse in parental oversight, negative influence of technology and the media, ineffective
management of school discipline, strict or undemocratic school rules, and the misuse of human
rights and abuse of ‘no corporal’ punishment. There is sufficient evidence suggesting that owing
to the rise in proportion, multiplicity and sometimes novelty of the forms of disciplinary issues,
there are huge challenges in school based discipline managements. It is recommended that school
management be trained and equipped with modern and alternative positive strategies of dealing
with indiscipline which include guidance and counselling, ‘reward and punish’ strategy and strong
school-community and other stakeholders-partnerships.
Key words: Corporal punishment, Educators, Pupil indiscipline, Management, trends.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Corporal punishment--Zambia.