The influence of learner discipline on learning in Ekurhuleni primary schools, Gauteng Province

Abstract

In South African schools, especially in Gauteng province, learner discipline problems are a worrying phenomenon. In many schools in the Ekurhuleni region of the Gauteng Department of Education, teachers are battling to deal with learner indiscipline in the post-corporal punishment era. Due to the prohibition of corporal discipline and the proclamation of the new disciplinary system, public schools in this district seem to be in a chaotic state. Prior to their appointment, teachers generally have little or no training in the use of alternative methods of maintaining discipline, yet they have to deal with the worsening levels of learner discipline. This study sought to find out possible ways in which effective discipline can be maintained and identify strategies to overcome poor discipline challenges in Ekurhuleni primary schools. This study followed a qualitative research approach and used semi-structured interviews to collect data. The investigation focused on three primary schools which were purposefully sampled to participate in the study. The research concentrated only on the views of the educators and the principals. The findings revealed that maintaining learner discipline in schools is a difficult undertaking for both principals and teachers as they lack proper training on the use of alternatives to corporal punishment, a lack of clarity on the alternatives to corporal punishment, a lack of administrative and stakeholder support for most teachers, particularly from the Department of Basic Education. To address these shortcomings, it is recommended that all stakeholders be involved in the discussion of learner discipline and policies guiding it. In this sense, it is critical to include the entire community in maintaining learner discipline in a bid to support learning. The community could devise innovative approaches and mechanisms that could assist principals and teachers in maintaining learner discipline in schools. All these strategies could engender good learner discipline in schools, which is essential for effective teaching and learning.