Exploring learner behavior within school context: a study of disciplinary committees in selected secondary schools of Southern Zambia.
Date
2023
Authors
Kalimaposo, Kalisto
Chooye, Rex
Chivunda, Nalubamba
Daka, Harrison
Mulubale, Sanny, Kaumba
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
This study aimed at establishing how disciplinary committees managed learner behavior within the
school context. The objectives of the study were to: establish how Disciplinary Committees dealt with
acts of indiscipline; explore the perceptions of head teachers, deputy head teachers, senior teachers,
class teachers and pupils on indiscipline; and identify strategies used by Disciplinary Committees in
handling pupil indiscipline in selected secondary schools of Southern, Zambia. Purposive sampling
procedure was used to select the head teachers, deputy head teachers, and class teachers, while random
sampling procedure was employed to select pupils who participated in the study. The findings of the
study revealed that punishment in form of manual work, suspension, and forced transfers were used.
However, the penalty depended on the gravity of the case and this was done depending on the case
done by the learners. With regard to the perceptions of the pupils and members of the disciplinary
committees, it was found that most pupils knew where to report the cases of indiscipline in school.
They also perceived these committees as effective enough in combating pupil indiscipline in school.
As regards the strategies used by disciplinary committees to overcome indiscipline in schools, it was
found that sensitization of the learners proved to be the most effective way of improving pupil behavior
in schools. Furthermore, incorporating guidance and counselling services was yet another important
method which the schools employed. Based on the findings, the study recommended inter alia that
regular marking of the school attendance register by teachers should be enhanced and students who
absent themselves from school without permission from the school should be dealt with so as to serve
as deterrent measure to others. Disciplinary committees in schools should also consider having
meetings more frequently so that they can discuss new ways and means of fighting Indiscipline.
KEYWORDS:
Disciplinary
committee, learner
behaviour, pupil
indiscipline,
sensitization, guidance
and counselling.
Description
Article
Keywords
Guidance and counselling--Secondary schools. , Disciplinary Committees--Schools. , Pupil behaviour. , Educational counseling. , Guidance and counseling--Schools.