Final GROUP 12 Work
Final GROUP 12 Work
Final GROUP 12 Work
BY
ORTIS YEBOAH
LINDA TAMBRO
OCTOBER 2019
DECLARATION
Candidates’ Declaration
We hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of our own original work and
that no part of it has been presented for another degree in this university or
elsewhere.
Supervisor’s Declaration
I hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of the project work were
ii
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of indiscipline on the academic
performance of the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. To achieve the
purpose, the study was guided by three research questions. The study employed
was used to collect data from 70 out of 143 teachers and pupils of the school.
Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the pupils
while purposive sampling technique was used to select the teachers. The
analytical tool used was descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages.
The study established that, truancy and the use of vernacular were the most
causes of indiscipline included factors such as the parent or the home, the school,
and the teacher. This study showed some of the effects of indiscipline as;
for both teachers and students as teacher uses more instructional hours in
controlling indiscipline acts in the classroom, which also leads to the inability of
effectiveness of the school. Indiscipline was also found to result in poor academic
counselling as a major strategy for curbing indiscipline among students. The study
recommended concerned parties to play their role effectively and the need to
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are very grateful to the Almighty God for giving us the life and
strength to carry out this project work successfully. We are also grateful to our
supervisor, Mr. Prince Kwame Affum who through his contribution and guidance
in diverse ways made this project work success. We duly acknowledge and thank
the headmaster, the teachers and the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Basic School for
their cooperation in making this study a success. We are much grateful to Mr.
Sampson Asumah for his guidance, time and efforts spent in shaping the study
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DEDICATION
To our parents
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
DECLARATION ii
ABSTRACT iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
DEDICATION v
LIST OF TABLES ix
LIST OF FIGURES x
Research Objectives 5
Research Question 5
Delimitations 7
Limitations 7
Introduction 8
Theoretical Review 8
vi
Causes of Indiscipline Behaviours in School 16
Empirical Review 25
Conceptual Framework 29
Chapter Summary 30
Introduction 31
Research Design 31
Study Area 32
Population 33
Pilot Study 35
Ethical Consideration 38
Chapter Summary 38
vii
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Introduction 39
Chapter Summary 48
RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction 49
Conclusions 51
Recommendations 52
REFERENCES 55
APENDICES:
A: Research Questionnaire 65
viii
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
1 Conceptual framework 30
x
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Children are seen as future assets in any country that seeks to develop,
since they serve as potential human resources to replace the old ones in the near
generation. For this to come into realization, it is important to ensure that these
young ones are not only preserved but disciplined so they can remain focused in
life, sharpen their skills and enhance their talent (Ofori, Tordzro, Asamoah, &
of human behavior and assert that without it an organization cannot function well
towards the achievement of its goals (Ouma, Simatwa, & Serem, 2013).
Discipline when viewed from the school perspective, is that student whose
regulations of the school (Ali, Dada, Isiaka, & Salmon, 2014). However,
discipline ideally means more than adhering to rules and regulations and entails
the learner‟s ability to discern what is right or wrong (Gitome, Katola, &
2008). It is a basic prerequisite for successful teaching and learning in schools and
1
for effective school management and accomplishment of its goals (Nakpodi,
as any action considered to be wrong and not generally accepted as proper in a set
Ali et al., it is any form of misbehaviour which a student can display in several
The growing incidents of apparent decay of our moral fiber are therefore a
concern to all and sundry across the world and for that matter, the citizens of
Ghana. Aliu Mahama, a former Vice President of Ghana, during his 2002
and violence which are fruits of indiscipline has eaten deep into all facets of life
According to Maphosa & Mammen (2011), basic schools students of today are
2
marijuana popularly known as “wee” in Ghana have been reported to be prevalent
among basic schools in the country (Dennis-Antwi, Asare, Adjei, & Twene,
2003). The causes of these acts of indiscipline among pupils as stated by teachers
and parents were attributed to the home and school environment, teacher related
and anxiety among the pupils. Indiscipline behaviours therefore do not create
Statement of Problem
this has been attributed to internal, external, political constraints and human
factors. Indiscipline behaviours could be one of the human factors that might have
different countries.
that about 29.6% of 160,480 students (from grade 3 to 11) had one or more
countries. In Kenya, Gitome et al., (2013) found that there was a positive
3
of Secondary Education. Also in Botswana, Garegae, (2007), studied into the
into the perception of teachers towards the use of punishment in Sancta Maria
was high and experienced at all levels including primary schools. Similarly, a
study into the types, causes, and solutions to student indiscipline in Secondary
Ghana, a study into the perceived causes and effects of students‟ indiscipline in
Gumani Junior High School in the Tamale Metropolis revealed that indiscipline
Despite the numerous studies conducted into the threats and negative
that most of them were conducted outside the shores of Ghana. The few that were
conducted in Ghana were also carried out outside the Wenchi Municipality and
precisely Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS (Justice, 2016 and Ofori et al., 2018). The gap
therefore suggested the need for research into the causes and effects of
Ghana. To address the identified gap, this study focused on Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS
4
and adopted a non-experimental, descriptive survey design in examining the
The main purpose of this study was to assess the causes and effect of
Research Objectives
1. Find some common indiscipline acts exhibited by the JHS pupils of Imam
2. Find the causes of indiscipline behaviour among the JHS pupils of Imam
Research Questions
Based on the research objectives, the study was guided by the following research
questions;
1. What are some common indiscipline acts exhibited by the JHS pupils of
2. What are the causes of the indiscipline behaviour in the JHS of Imam
3. What effect does indiscipline has on the academic performance of the JHS
5
Significance of the Study
educational authorities as well as parents with the right information on the causes
and effects of indiscipline among pupils. This would inform policy makers in the
findings on the causes and effects on indiscipline in pupils and ways to remedy it.
Finally, it will serve as a foundation for other researchers who may like to carry
Delimitations
the Wenchi Municipality. However, to ensure the validity and reliability of the
research, the project covers the JHS pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School
only. The causes and effects of indiscipline behaviours among pupils and devising
means of remedying it are the restricted aspect of the study. The school was
Examinations. The conclusions and generalizations of this study are therefore not
Limitations
Ideally, the study should have covered all the Junior High Schools in the
the constraints of time and logistics prevented a wider coverage in respect of the
study area and research respondents. The study also did not specifically examine
6
the solutions in dealing with the acts of indiscipline among students of Imam
Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. Furthermore, because this study made use of
quantitative approach only it did not allow the respondents to express their views
aspects like, the background to the study, the statement of problem, research
objectives of the study, the research questions as well as the significance of the
explored findings from related literature on the following areas; the theoretical
framework of the study; the causes and effects of indiscipline behaviours among
pupils; the conceptual framework; and the empirical review. Chapter Three dealt
with the methodology of the study which includes; research design, study area,
and data analysis procedures. Chapter Four focused on the presentation and
analysis of the results or findings and discussions. Chapter Five which is the
concluding chapter dealt with the main findings, summary, conclusion and
recommendations.
7
CHAPTER TWO
LITERTURE REVIEW
Introduction
subsections. The first section set the theoretical frame work for the study under
which the theories supporting the study are discussed. The second section deals
with review on the objectives of the study i.e. the nature and common students‟
indiscipline acts, the causes of students‟ indiscipline and the effects of indiscipline
pertaining to the constructs and the relationships among the constructs, this
Theoretical Review
There are many theories that seek to explain why students behave in a
approaches set the theoretical background for the study. These theories include:
Skinner:
8
Individual psychology
believed that every individual has a goal he/she sets to achieve in life. It is the
goal set by any person that explains the sort of behaviours he/she exhibits at any
point in time. He also emphasized that the motivation to achieve the set goals
causes feelings of inferiority in every person and that the final goal of every
individual in life is to be superior. He added that the quest for superiority is what
students who exhibit domineering attitude over their peers through the use of foul
languages and bullying as forms of school indiscipline acts could have set their
some individuals as the RULING TYPE and added that the individuals within this
category lack social interest and courage. They do not believe in the important of
equality and cooperation between people and when they are faced with problems
they are unable to solve, they tend to act in antisocial ways. He added that their
own striving for superiority and power is so unrealistic that they exploit and harm
others in order to achieve their goals. Typical examples of those students who
exhibit this trait are the bullies and the gangs who often time frighten their
colleagues in the classroom and in the entire school premises (Ali, Dada, Isiaka,
& Salmon, 2014). Also, if the individuals in the gang are constantly manifesting
9
their hostile behaviours toward other weaker students successfully without check
and caution by the school authority and entire staff they may end up form a secret
punishment makes people behave in a certain ways. This means that, behavior
(Skinner, 1938). For instance, if a student tried smoking at school and the chief
consequences is that he got to hang out with the crowed he always wanted to, then
he is likely to repeat that behavior if on the other hand, he was caught, canned,
suspended from school and the parents become involved he most likely never to
results.
transformation of the individual and the society. Ofori, Tordzro, Asamoah and
Achiaa, (2018) explained that school discipline implies students with a code of
behaviour often known as the school rules. Again, they state that some of the
10
school rules may set out the expected standards of clothing, time keeping,
relationship with peers (both teachers and pupils) and school work. They
concluded by saying that there are several of such rules in every school.
asserted that sometimes, the term school discipline may not only apply to code of
school rules. They claim the term may also be applied to punishment as a
consequence of transgression of the school code of behaviour. For this reason, the
usage of school discipline may sometimes mean punishment for breaking school
to produce self-control habits of obedience, the result of which sets rules for
conduct and methods by which training may be given (Kuh, Power, Blane, &
that deviates from the generally accepted norms as seen in almost all facets of the
also contended that indiscipline among school children has become a global
not in conformity with the norms and values of the society Ofori et al, (2018).
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Discipline according to Abubakar (2000) as cited by Ngwokabuenui
(2015) is the ability and willingness to do what one ought to do without external
control. Hence one can say discipline is internally motivated within the individual
succumb to established rules and regulations out of personal volition but out of
which the student(s) can display in the following ways: general disobedient to
(2008) as cited by Ali et al (2014), further stated that indiscipline can be said to be
obey school rules and regulations and to maintain high standard of behaviours
conducive to teaching learning process and essential to the smooth running of the
and even gender boundaries. A study in West Virginia in the United States of
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America (USA) revealed that about 29.6% of 160,480 students (from grade 3 to
11) had one or more referrals for inappropriate behaviors (Whisman & Hammer,
2014). Umezinwa and Elendu (2012), for instance, observed that indiscipline
among learners in Nigeria was high and experienced at all levels including
primary schools.
regarding indiscipline in schools within the United Arab Emirates where teaching
methods were blamed for the children‟s indiscipline. The parents were getting
and violence in schools. The concern was not only on the risk of destruction of
property and injury to persons but also the poor academic performance associated
with the growing trend of indiscipline. Disruptions can interrupt lessons for all
students, and disruptive students can lose even more learning time (Liu & Meyer,
2005; Adams, Lemaire & Prah, 2013). They assert that it is important for teachers
to keep the ultimate goal of learning in mind when working to improve school
behaviour and to provide all students with a satisfying school experiences as well
and truancy affect their learning. When students are not in class, they find it
the lesson and do not take active part in the discussion, they are unable to grasp
13
the concepts taught. The result is that there is a loss of content and knowledge that
are taught (Etsey, 2005). Ayertey (2005), states that deviant behaviour leads to
breakdown of law and order, and creates insecurity. He explained that indiscipline
behaviour on the part of pupils leads to disregard for law and order in the school
environment. Laws are made to regulate the conduct of people and protect lives
however, are disrespectful to law and authority; they destroy property and
likely to have its code of discipline broken and be plunged into disaster. A school
plunged into a state of anarchy does not support learning. The end result is poor
behaviour creates panic and a sense of insecurity in the school. Most deviants are
responsible for theft, destruction of property, violence, assaults, rape and armed
robbery in the society. These negative acts can create tension and fear in the
minds of other students and authorities in the school. This will prevent the
teachers from giving out their best since most of their time would be concentrated
teaching and learning in school due to what is stated above (Ofori, 2018).
14
society. Akinboye (1980) as cited in Ali et al., (2014) says that indiscipline is any
the generally accepted pattern of standard norms in the society. It involves lack of
Igwe (1990) as cited in Ali et al., (2014) school indiscipline is “any mode of
behaviour, action and conduct which deviates from the established and approved
rules and regulations of a school and the acceptable code of behaviour, action,
norms and the ethics of the society at large”. Therefore behaviours that do not
Acts of indiscipline among high school students are common across the
world. These acts occur in the classroom, within the school compound and within
categories of misconduct by students in the school as those that that are offensive
to the teacher. He further argues that, the misconduct can either be deliberate or
unintentional. Some behaviour can have negative impact on the self-esteem of the
late or when a student talks while the teacher is teaching or writes graffiti on
questions already answered or defy the teacher‟s instructions and walk around in
15
include; truancy, lateness to school, drug abuse, insulting or assaulting, stealing,
rioting among other social vices. It is also in line with Kounin (2008) argued that,
in and outside the school such as violence, street fighting and hooliganism,
Afullo, (2005) as quoted by Kute, (2014) adds to the list with arson, sexual
support for teachers, disrespect and distrust of the administration. Schools are no
longer safe since students carry firearms and knives to the school. Reports of
students stabbing their teachers and burning school property are now common
(Donnelly, 2000; Alidzulwi, 2000; Ali et al (2014). Other acts of indiscipline are
Political, social and economic factors; Learners with emotional problems; Head
16
teachers/principals factor; Influence of gender and race; and Public schools versus
private schools. Justice (2016) assertions were not much different from
among children in school, parents / guardians, teachers and adult role models in
society, all have to share responsibility for this problem. All the causes of
indiscipline as presented by the above literature can be put under three broad
teacher comes to class unprepared, self-confidence will be lost and learners will
doubt teacher‟s capabilities (Donga, 1998). Lochan (2010) also posit that when
lessons are not interesting discipline crumbles, causing boredom which will lead
of commitment also takes place when teacher is not catering for individual
methods to reach every learner, the learners become bored, disinterested and
reckless. Marzano and Marzano (2003) also elude to the fact that ineffective
teachers treat all students the same. They are not sensitive to the diverse needs of
17
Some behaviours exhibited by teachers lead to student indiscipline
(Donga, 1998 cited in Mammen, 2011). Teacher‟s treatment of learners can lead
front of peers (Yarason, 2004). Donga asserts that adolescents are very sensitive
and trying to demean them or force them into doing something they do not like
humiliate and intimidate the learners bring out the deviance in them. The
2016). Learners with poor self-concept are more likely to display unacceptable
Teachers who are often absent from school for no good reasons and do not
respond promptly to the bell for example after break contributes to deviant
supervision this often causes chaos which range from noise making to fighting,
Kilonzo (2009) teachers are supposed to be role models behaving in loco parents
all the times. Teachers who come to school drunk and improperly dressed,
learners will imitate them and the discipline of the school suffers. Rono &
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secondary school in Ndanai School Bomet, students went on rampage accusing
Porhola, Karhunen & Rainivaara (2006) in Ofori et al. (2018) also opine
that, laziness, incompetence, being autocratic in class, flirting with the female
professionalism when they backbite fellow teachers right in the presence of the
students, this could also contribute to indiscipline among them. Teacher‟s poor
are not fully engaged in the school environment. The free time the students have
is used to learn and copy bad habits from their friends. Koomson et al (2005) says
that, the situation where teachers tend to have punitive attitudes can also lead to
indiscipline problems since most of the students may be trying to defend their
rights. This can lead to flouting of school rules (Ofori et al., 2018).
schools where the rules are not clear or perceived as unfairly and inconsistently
enforced. They assert in this situation that students do not believe in the rules.
They also explained further that where teachers and administrators do not know
what the rules are or disagree on the proper responses to student misconduct can
misconduct is ignored or sometimes where schools have large population and lack
19
adequate resources for teaching. Inability of the school management to
communicate issues, rules, and new development in the school to the teachers and
students can also lead to misunderstanding, which can become a potential source
of indiscipline.
systems for many years. Indiscipline behaviour from students may also be the
within a complex pattern of interactions in which both teachers and learners play
an active role, influencing each other with their actions and interpretations.
to consider teacher behaviour, how they organize and manage classroom activities
and their efforts to establish and uphold roles. Children have an inherent need for
their space. Carr (2004) points out that some children particularly with autistic
spectrum disorders may be over sensitive to certain stimuli such as noise, and may
that the classroom in many instances can be the only stable element in the life of a
child not experiencing such security in other parts of his/her life. Lack of
integrity, firmness and fairness on the part of the school head can also promote
20
The removal of corporal punishment in schools has caused even more
necessarily wrong to do that but it was not first thoroughly discussed among all
the stakeholders, parents, students and teachers, with a view to replace it with
result, teachers feel more vulnerable and are increasingly being attacked by
students and parents, who feel that they now have the right to behave as they like
with no effective consequences to their actions. This has created even a more
students‟ home background. He emphasized that, those negligent parents who are
not concerned with their children‟s behavioural changes from early adolescent to
late adolescent, have the tendency of causing indiscipline, especially when they
are always found absent from home. Parents, who usually wake up early in the
morning, go to work and get back home as late as 7.00 pm, will be neglecting
their roles as caregivers and the children from such homes are likely to learn bad
habits from their friends since their parents are not mostly around. Sekyere (2009)
also contends that, indiscipline arises among children mainly because parents
these days have neglected their role of instilling good moral behaviours in their
children. Parents have abandoned their roles to teachers and on the whole spend
less time with their children. Sometimes they always fail to allocate quality time
21
Parents are always too busy, trying to fight with the economic hardship
which faces them. Sekyere stresses that the basic reason of indiscipline is parents
and social. In the view of Monroe (2005), indiscipline could be attributed to peer
influence, broken homes, single parenting and bad extemporary lives led by
many more. Parents who also insult teachers in the presence of their children
to assault teachers who attempt to discipline their children. This sets bad
2018).
Geo–opah (2003) in his research discovered that deviants like truants, due
to their absence from school usually repeat classes and even when they are
repeating, they do not feel better because they feel they are overqualified or too
accomplished for such a class. Though, few of them manage to struggle through
school, majority of them usually drop out of school if some form of interventions
are not taken. Their level of achievement is generally low because of their lack of
interest in learning. Most pupils who are deviants tend to view schooling as a
form of punishment, while others attend classes just to please their parents and
guardians. Students who skip schooling will most likely be unable to meet up with
22
the curriculum set for them by the school. Thus, the overall scoring and
western Nigeria. The study showed that indeed deviant behaviour had
significantly affected the academic achievement of the students in the area. Boga
leads to healthy classroom environment that in turn promote respect for education
that discipline is considered vital for students‟ academic and social success. A
individual is of no use to the individuals, the families and the society. The society
discipline and academic performance was found in his study showing that
students that are well discipline perform well academically. According to Finn,
Fish and Scott (2008) and Oliver (2011) as cited by Simuforosa & Rosemary
(2014) in (Justice 2016) are of the view that, when students misbehave they learn
less and keep their peers from learning. Teaching contact time is reduced as more
23
assert that this create stress for teachers when they are detracted from academic
Teachers Union and report that 17% of teachers lost about 4 hours a week to
hours per week to destructive behavior. This time and energy needed to cope with
Justice (2016) opines that indiscipline has done more harm than good to
As a result of indiscipline, many students have neglected their studies and this
(Students Dairy, 2013). Indiscipline students waste a lot of time which affects
materials and facilities are wasted, student- teacher relationships are stained and
the climate for mutual respect necessary for learning compromised. A survey
discipline cases, less time on teaching and this result in syllabus not being
him, school discipline has great effects on school academic performance. The
24
school infrastructure or any other resources / materials are damage because of
negative behavior. They end up messing the culture of the school. Teaching
becomes a problem and the overall performance goes well below the least
instruction, which harms all the students, as it could also be an early warning for
performance. These effects can be categories into short term, medium term and
long term. In the short term, there is dropping off in concentration in classroom
because there is no classroom policy for effective teaching and learning to take
place. In the medium term, learning rarely takes place and teachers time and
energy is wasted in dealing with trouble makers and this result in syllabus not
and the chief effect is poor academic performance. In the long term, standards
Empirical Review
conditions by education providers and consumers could hatch a monster that will
25
individuals, the families and the society. The society invests heavily on the
performance was found in her study showing that students that are well discipline
to examine the familiar or common forms, the causes and probable ways to curb
indiscipline in schools. The study made use of descriptive survey research design.
The study was guided by four research questions whereas two hypotheses were
formulated and tested. The sample comprised of 3,240 participants drawn from
120 schools (of the public, lay private and denominational schools) in four
thirty (30) items was used. The study used triangulation sampling techniques by
Stratified sampling was equally used since the nature of the sample
the target population and other participants (teachers, discipline masters and
mistresses, principals and vice principals. Stratified sampling was equally used
26
parameters included percentage and mean which were used in answering the
research questions while one way ANOVA was employed to test the hypotheses
at the 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the familiar and common
makers, school administrators and parents should ensure that adequate facilities
are provided in schools for effective teaching and learning, adequate playing
children (Ngwokabuenui, 2015). However, this study was conducted outside the
In Nigeria, Ali et al. (2014) researched the various acts of indiscipline, its
causes and how it is being managed in different school settings. The population
covers all administrative staff, teaching staff and the students who were regarded
as stakeholders of the school system. The sample size of ninety (90) respondents
was randomly selected across the groups of administrators, teachers and students.
27
The data collected by structured questionnaires were analysed using descriptive
The findings of this study revealed that various acts of indiscipline were
prevalent among secondary school students. It was also gathered that several
factors like the schools, students and the society at large contributed greatly to the
acts of indiscipline among the students. It was also found that reduction strategies
employed by various schools are not effective and as a result, the study
stakeholders of the schools (Ali, et al., 2014). However this study was conducted
outside Ghana.
effects of students‟ indiscipline in Gumani Junior High School. The study was a
descriptive survey and the sampled size consisted of ten (10) teachers and sixty
(60) students. The information was elicited by the use of questionnaires. Data was
analyzed by the use of descriptive statistic. In order to identify the most common
indiscipline acts as well as the effects and possible ways of curbing such acts,
comparison was made with the various acts of indiscipline, cause and effects. The
study established that, the use of vernacular and fighting among students were the
28
indiscipline included parents or guardians, peer influence, unhealthy relationship
between teachers and students, school size and students exposure to the media.
The findings reveal that, indiscipline affect teaching and learning as most
major strategy for curbing indiscipline among students. The study recommended
concerned parties to play their role effectively and the need to establish a
guidance and counseling unit in the school. Even though this study was conducted
in Ghana and has a lot to contribute, its findings may not be applicable to the
Conceptual Framework
review, the following conceptual model in which this specific study is governed
performance. The factors that cause students‟ indiscipline have been taken as
categorized under three headings; school factors that cause students‟ indiscipline;
teacher factor that causes student indiscipline; and home and parent factors that
cause student indiscipline. On the other side, students‟ academic performance has
29
been taken as the dependent variable. The relationship of the variables for this
Student Indiscipline
Student Academic
Teacher Factors
Chapter Summary
This chapter reviewed literature related to the study. Careful analysis was
made to select the needed and relevant information under the following headings;
conceptual framework was also developed based on the literature reviewed and
30
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research Design
blueprint which specifies how data relating to a given problem should be collected
and analysed. A descriptive survey was thus employed to sample views and
opinions from teachers and students so as to achieve the aim of this study. Avoke
(2005) as cited in Justice (2016) views descriptive survey as a design that portrays
events or conditions either already exist or have occurred and the researcher
31
A descriptive survey also provides a quantitative or numeric description of
survey was considered the most appropriate design for conducting this research
and interpreting conditions that exist. The descriptive survey was again
considered the most appropriate design for conducting this study because it is the
one that deals with things as they currently are (Creswell, 2003).
Descriptive survey design also helped achieved the goal of the study,
which was to identify the causes of students‟ indiscipline and its effects on
the researcher to directly collect information from one or more persons about their
The study was conducted in Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School, Wenchi.
Wenchi is the capital of the Wenchi Municipality under in Bono Region. It is one
of many Junior High Schools within the Wenchi Municipality. The school‟s
32
populace is made up of 132 pupils of whom 81 are boys and 51 girls. 55 of these
pupils are in Junior High School One, 47 in Junior High School Two and 30 in
Junior High School Three. For three consecutive years spanning from 2015 to
2018, the school‟s BECE performance has been consistently poor. The distinct
features of the school enabled the researcher to obtain the required sample for
performance. Second, some of the students in the school are reported to engage in
fights with teachers, truancy, boycotting school, and the use of Indian hemp and
other unwanted behavior (School records, 2019). Also the researchers‟ work
experience in the school readily gives them access to the information needed for
Population
The target population consisted of the head teacher and all the teachers
and the students of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School totaling 143. The school
has a teacher population of 10 and a student population of about 132 and one head
teacher. The teachers interact with students in many different ways and could
provide useful information concerning the study. The students themselves are
divided into strata or homogeneous group based on one or more criteria, i.e. sex,
class, age, professional status etc. In this study, class was the bases that formed
33
the stratum. Simple random sampling was then used to select from each stratum.
They also added that a representative sample of 10% and above is enough for
The students were put into three (3) strata‟s thus JHS 1, 2 and 3. Simple
random sample technique was then used to select twenty (20) pupils each from
JHS 1, 2 and 3 totaling 60 students. All the students were given equal chance to
pick from a folded pieces of papers on which „‟YES or NO‟‟, was written and
those who selected „‟YES‟‟ were taken to represent that class. Here all teachers
were considered because they interact with students in many different ways and
could provide useful information concerning the study hence purposive sampling
was used to select all the ten (10) teachers (Amadehe & Gyimah, 2018).
Teachers 10 10
Head teacher 1 0
Pupils 132 60
Total 143 70
The main instrument was used to collect data from respondents in this
statements relating to the aims of a study, the hypothesis and research questions to
34
writing (Amadehe & Gyimah, 2018). The questionnaire was both close ended and
open ended questions with options like (Very common, Common, Uncommon,
Ranking). It was divided into five sections which are as follows: Section A -
Personal data and Section B - provides questions on the nature and characteristics
like focus group discussions (Hollway & Jefferson, 2000 as cited in Justice,
2016).The questionnaire consisted of 18 items. The items; one to four deals with
Pilot Study
A pilot study was conducted in Imam Seidu „B‟ Junior High School,
administered to 40 students and ten teachers. This school was not included in the
main study but has the same socio- demographic and was also saddled with the
same indiscipline problems as that of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. The
pilot study was done to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Items
35
Validity of the Instruments
opinion and pre-testing of the question helped established the content validity.
result every time it is used. The test retest method was used to test for the
Imam Seidu „B‟ Junior High School which has the same socio- demography as
that of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. The same questionnaires were
administered to them after two weeks. A correlation coefficient of 0.8 alpha levels
Distance Education, University of Cape Coast stating the purpose and objectives
of the study and the cooperation of the research participants. The introductory
letter was copied to the Wench Municipal Educational Directorate and the Head
teacher of Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS to seek their approval and access to the school,
students and other documents that would facilitate the study. The Head teacher of
36
the school conveyed a meeting with teachers and students to inform them about
the purpose of the research and their cooperation. The researchers randomly
selected the seventy (70) participants comprising 60 students and 10 teachers for
the study with the help of some teachers in the school. The participants were told
of the purpose, time, venue and how to answer the questionnaires. They were also
the questionnaires to sixty (60) students on 3rd July, 2019 at Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS
premises at 9:00am. The teachers in the school were all purposively selected
Data Analysis
(Ankoma-Sey et al. 2019). Analysis of data provided facts and figures that
enabled interpretation of the results and reaching conclusions from the findings of
the study. The questionnaire items were all coded and edited to ensure that clear,
legible, relevant, and appropriate responses had been provided. Items in the form
of Likert scale were rated between 4-1, with 4 being the highest and 1 being the
lowest. The coded items and their corresponding frequencies were fed into the
computer using the SPSS software programme. Data were analyzed using simple
Ethical Considerations
37
The permission of the school head teacher was obtained before
administering the questionnaires to the pupils. Informal verbal consent was also
sought from the teachers as well. The respondents were informed of all data
of their responses. They were made aware that, the information they provided was
not going to be made public, and none of respondents‟ name, addresses, date of
birth and any possible means by which their identity were made public was
requested. Respondents were also assured the data that provided were treated with
utmost confidentiality. Participants were made aware that, their participation was
voluntary. Also the researchers explained the potential benefits to the school head
teacher, teachers, and students if the study was successfully conducted. All
Chapter Summary
The chapter described the research methodology that was used to gather
data for the study. The chapter started with a description of the study design. The
target population was also identified. Sampling techniques and procedures where
procedure. Also, methods of data analysis and ethnical consideration were clearly
outlined.
38
CHAPTER FOUR
Introduction
This chapter covered the presentation of results for data analysis. The
results and discussion were done for both the teachers and the students. The
obtained from the study. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of
indiscipline on the academic performance of pupils in the Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior
High School. The analysis was done using descriptive analysis of frequency and
percentages. For both the teachers and the students, the analysis and interpretation
of pupils.
academic qualification and length of teaching time. For the pupils, socio-
demographic characteristics included sex and age. The results obtained in relation
Table 3.
39
Table 2: Socio-Demographics Characteristics of Teachers
Gender
Male 7 70
Female 3 30
Age
25-29 3 30
30-34 5 50
35-39 2 20
40-44 0 0
Academic qualification
Degree holder 6 60
1-4 4 40
5-9 5 50
10-14 1 10
From Table 3, it can be seen that with gender, (70%) of the majority of the
respondents with regards to teachers were males while (30%) of the rest were
females. (50%) of the respondents were between the ages 30-34 years and the
least number (20%) were between the ages 35-39 years old. None of the
respondents was aged between 40-45 years. Also, (60%) of the respondents were
40
degree holders who formed the majority. Finally, (50%) of the teachers had been
teaching for 5-9 years, (40%) for 1-4 years and (10%) from 10-14 years.
Gender
Male 27 66
Female 33 34
Age
10-15 48 96
16-20 12 4
From Table 3, it can be seen that with gender, the majority of the
respondents (66%) were females and the rest (34%) were males. With age, almost
all the respondents (96%) were aged between 10-15 years with only (4%) whose
Common Acts of Students’ Indiscipline among the Pupils of Imam Seidu ‘A’
The Objective One sought to find the common acts of indiscipline among
the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. The disciplinary problems
common in Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School was obtained from both teachers
and pupils. The responses given by the respondents to the issues are shown in
Table 4.
41
Table 4: Responses of Teachers and Pupils on the Common Acts of Indiscipline
Respondents VC C UN VU
Dress Code
vernacular language are the indiscipline acts that are very common among pupils
with 80.0% each. 60.0 % of the teachers also responded that fighting is a common
act of indiscipline among pupils. Exactly half of the respondents saw flaunting of
school dress code as the next indiscipline act among pupils that is common. Also,
42
40.0% of the respondents found classroom disruption as a very common
indiscipline act among pupils. However, 70.0% of the teachers responded that
indiscipline acts that are rated to be very common in pupils are; truancy (73.0%)
which is the highest followed by the use of vernacular language (60.0%) and
flaunting of school dress code (41.6%). Again, half of the respondents rated
rioting among other social vices. It is also in line with Kounin (2008) argued that,
in and outside the school such as violence, street fighting and hooliganism,
Causes of Indiscipline Behaviour among the Pupils of Imam Seidu ‘A’ Junior
High School
Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. The research findings were presented
43
Table 5: Responses of Teachers and Pupils on the Causes of Indiscipline
Statement Respondents SA A DA DK
From Table 5, 60.0% of the teachers strongly agreed that the home or the
agreed that the school is a factor that causes student‟s indiscipline. Equally 50.0%
agreed that the teachers themselves are also a factor that causes indiscipline
behaviours in pupils. The remaining 50.0% however disagreed that the teacher is
a factor that causes indiscipline behaviours in pupils. Other the other hand, 56.7%
of the pupils strongly agreed that their homes and for that matter their parents are
also a factor that causes pupil‟s indiscipline behaviour. 45.0% of the pupils also
agreed that the school is a factor that causes pupils‟ indiscipline behaviour. On the
above half of the pupils (57.0%) agreed that the teacher is a factor to indiscipline
44
in pupils. A significant 33.3% of the pupils strongly agreed that the is a factor to
indiscipline in pupils
The findings obtained in the study support the findings of Morongwa (2010)
who identified eight factors as the causes of indiscipline among secondary school
students which among other things include: Parental / home influence; Teachers /
problems; Head teachers / principals factor; Influence of gender and race; and
Public schools versus private schools. Justice (2016) assertions were not much
different from Morongwa (2010) when he stipulated that, with regard specifically
role models in society, all have to share responsibility for this problem. Similarly,
population and lack adequate resources for teaching. Inability of the school
the teachers and students can also lead to misunderstanding, which can become a
performance, several issues were considered and the responses to these questions
45
Table 6: Responses of Teachers and Pupils on the Effect of Indiscipline on the
Statement Respondents SA A D SD
(N)% (N)% (N)% (N)%
Leads to poor T (4)40.0% (6)60.0% (0)0.0% (0)0.0%
academic P (30)50.0% (20)33.3% (5)8.3% (5)8.3%
achievement
It leads to T (7)70.0% (2)20.0% (0)0.0% (1)10.0%
school drop- P (26)43.3% (13)21.7% (13)21.7 (8)13.3%
out %
It prevents T (5)50.0% (5)50.0% (0)0.0% (0)0.0%
others students P (35)58.3% (12)20.0% (4)6.7% (9)15.0%
from learning
It leads to (3)30.0% (5)50.0% (0)0.0% (2)20.0%
T
damage of (40)66.7% (18)30.0% (0)0.0% (2)3.3%
P
school
properties
Indiscipline (6)60.0% (3)30.0% (1)10.0 (0)0.0%
T
affect teaching (20)33.3% (15)25.0% % (10)16.7%
P
and learning (25)41.7
%
Causes injury (3)30.0% (6)60.0% (1)10.0 (0)0.0%
T
to students and (17)28.3% (24)40% % (9)15.0%
P
teachers (10)16.7
%
Waste time (1)10.0% (4)40.0% (4)40.0 (1)10.0%
T
and resources (9)15.0% (20)33.3 % (8)13.3%
P
(23)38.3
%
Source: Field Survey, 2019. Scale: Strongly Agree=1, Agree=2, Disagree=3,
Strongly Disagree=4, T=Teachers, P=Pupils
46
From Table 6 and with regards to the teachers 60.0% agreed that
out of school. Half of the respondents (50.0%) agreed that indiscipline behaviour
prevents other students from learning. Meanwhile half of the number of teachers
school properties. Above half of the teachers (60.0%) strongly agreed that
process. Again, 60.0% of them also agreed that indiscipline behaviour causes
injury to other students and teachers. On the statement that students‟ indiscipline
behaviour causes waste of time and resources, while 40.0% agreed to it, 40.0% on
the other hand disagreed that indiscipline behaviour causes waste of time and
resources.
With the students, 50.0% of the pupils strongly agreed that students‟
above half of the pupils strongly agreed that indiscipline behaviour prevents other
students from learning. 66.7% equally strongly agreed that indiscipline behaviour
causes damage to school property. 40.0% of the pupils also agreed that students‟
indiscipline causes injury to other students and teachers. However, 41.7% of the
pupils disagreed that indiscipline negatively affects the teaching and learning
process. Similarly, 38.3% also disagreed to the statement that indiscipline causes
47
The findings of the study are in line with the findings by Finn, Fish and
Scott (2008) and Oliver (2011) who, are of the view that, when students
misbehave they learn less and keep their peers from learning. Teaching contact
the area.
Geo–opah (2003) also share the findings of the study when in his research,
discovered that deviants like truants, due to their absence from school usually
repeat classes and even when they are repeating, they do not feel better because
they feel they are overqualified or too accomplished for such a class. Though, few
of them manage to struggle through school, majority of them usually drop out of
school if some form of interventions are not taken. Justice (2016), also asserted
that when students are undisciplined, teaching contact time is reduced as more
Chapter Summary
In this chapter, the results of the data obtained from the field have been
presented and discussed. The results were discussed in the context of the literature
that informed the study. The analysis have brought to the fore the effects of
indiscipline on the academic performance of the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior
48
High School. The next chapter outlines the summary, conclusions and
49
CHAPTER FIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This chapter highlighted the main findings of the study and the overall
based on the conclusions derived from the study. Suggestions were then made for
academic performance of the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School.
Specifically, the study aimed to; (a) Find some common indiscipline acts
exhibited by pupils; (b) examine the causes of students‟ indiscipline in pupils; (c)
Seidu „A‟ JHS. To achieve these objectives, the study was guided by three
the academic performance of pupils in Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS. The study employed
design and the study population was pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High
frequency and percentage tables were used to analyse the data based on the three
50
Summary of Key Findings
Seidu „A‟ Junior High School, it emerged from the findings that students
code and physical assault were some of the indiscipline acts among
pupils in Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School stemmed from three factors
and the whole effectiveness of the school. Indiscipline was also found to
Conclusions
From the study, one major issue assessed was the common acts of
indiscipline pupils exhibited. From the findings, it is concluded that the common
acts of indiscipline among the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS that affect their
51
students, examination malpractices, classroom destruction, violation of school
dress code and physical assault. From the findings, the most common acts of
indiscipline among pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School were truancy
Also the study aimed to assess the factors that cause indiscipline in the
pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS. Based on the findings of the study, it can be
concluded that the causes of indiscipline behaviour among pupils of Imam Seidu
„A‟ JHS were; parent/home factors, teacher factor and school factors. From the
findings, the parent or home was thought by respondents to be the number one
cause of indiscipline among the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School.
academic performance of the pupils of Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS. From the findings
students indiscipline acts affected teaching and learning, resulted in the wastage
Recommendations
It emerged from the study that common students‟ indiscipline acts that
effect performance in Imam Seidu „A‟ JHS are numerous. There is therefore the
need for school administrators to ensure that co-curricular activities are included
in the general school program to help relieve the monotony associated with
52
teachers and students, this will help teachers identify the needs of their students,
The study also revealed that the causes of students‟ indiscipline behaviour
can be attributed to the home, the school and the teacher. Therefore, the need for
the school to strengthen PTA where both teachers and parents will work together
indiscipline cases in the school. Also parents and teachers should increase
their lives and the best of role models for them to emulate. Also, school
authorities should ensure that teachers act as role models by coming to school
This study finally showed that teaching and learning activities were
among others. There is also the need for the school to establish guidance and
counseling unit with counseling officers and also assign adequate time in the time
table to allow students have adequate time for guidance and counseling. This
implies that when students are guided and counseled, they are unlikely to have
disciplinary problems.
53
Suggestions for Further Studies
Junior High Schools in the Wenchi Municipality. The study did not specifically
examine the solutions in dealing with the acts of indiscipline among students of
Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. In future, the study could be broadened to
include solutions for curbing indiscipline among students. Furthermore, this study
made use of quantitative approach only. This does not allow the respondents to
express their views in more details. For that matter, it is suggested that a
express their views in details to help to know if the findings of the current study
could be validated.
54
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64
APPENDIX
Performance in Imam Seidu „A‟ Junior High School. You have been selected to
take part in this study. We would be grateful if you would assist us by responding
to all questions in the attached questionnaire. Your name does not need to appear
anywhere in the questionnaire. The information will be kept confidential and will
be used for academic research purpose only. Your co-operation will be greatly
Yours sincerely,
Section A
2. Teacher [ ] Student [ ]
3. Age:
4. Class (Students)
65
5. Work Experience(Teachers)
a) Degree holder [ ]
b) Non-Degree holder [ ]
This section seeks to solicit information on the common acts of Indiscipline that
S/N Statement 1 2 3 4
CA1 Truancy
CA 2 Fighting
CA 3 Lateness
CA 4 Flaunting School Dress Code
CA 5 Use of Vernacular Language
CA 6 Class Disruption
CA 7 Examination Malpractice
Please, mention any other act of indiscipline you
know…………………………….
This section seeks to solicit information on the common acts of Indiscipline that
S/N Item 1 2 3 4
CI 1 Home/Parents Factors
CI 2 School Factors
CI 3 Teacher Factors
66
Kindly mention any other causes of indiscipline you can think
of…………………………………………………………………………………..
This section seeks to solicit information on the common acts of Indiscipline that
S/N Statement 1 2 3 4
of…………………………………………………………………………………..
Thank you.
67