A Survey of Student Discipline Problems in Lusaka secondary Schools frpm 1969-1970

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Date
2011-06-21
Authors
Shana, Stanislaus S
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Abstract
I undertook this work because indiscipline struck me, during my day-to-day work as inspector of secondary schools, as a never ending problem. Fortunately, I have lived through both worlds – the pre-independence world and the post-independence world . It is true to say that the years immediately before independence, 1960-1963 witnessed a lot of indiscipline in secondary schools . Infact, the years 1959 and 1960 witnessed so great a number of indiscipline acts in schools that the Ministry of African Education found it necessary to produce circular.12 of 1960 entitled ‘Discipline in Schools’. The full text of this circular is found at Appendix A. One world have thought that with gaining of Independence in 1964 indiscipline was brought to an end. But far from it, indiscipline worsened. The year 1969 was the worst hit. So I decided to find out why the problem does not end. The idea, therefore was to conduct a survey in order to see the general trend of discipline in three schools between 1960 and 1970. This period was deliberately chosen as it would enable me to study both the pre and post-independence periods. One of the aims was to tr y and find out whether indiscipline in these schools was purely the work of the nationalists or whether there was something else to it. If there was, could weak points be pin-pointed and remedies prescribed?In trying to diagnose the ills of the disciplinary systems of these schools, I realized , only too late, that some of the utterances I have made will make me very unpopular, not only with the students , but also with the educationalists and disciplinarians. I know most o f them will no doubt overwhelm me with excellent reasons for all the matters I have been presumptuous enough to challenge. Already I wish I could say, like the preacher coming to a difficult passage in his text: “Now, my friends, this is a matter of great difficulty; let us look at it boldly in the face and pass on.” May be the free society of Zambia will spare me from any wrath to come by ignoring such professional profanity. My definition of a free society is, ,a society where it is safe to be unpopular.’ This saying of Mr. Adlai Stevenson, twice a candidate for the presidency of the Unite d States , is one well worth pondering. There are far too many people all over the world who use threats and intimidations to suppress opinions and to compel apparent support. I, indeed, take refuge in this statement.
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School Discipline--Lusaka--Zambia
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