Problem of Indiscipline in Schools

Problem of Indiscipline in Schools

By Shammah Peters

 

Indiscipline! The issue has become malignant. A deadly cancer eating up the youths

in our generation today.

It is expressed in various forms and measures among the children in institutions of

learning. Indiscipline has indeed risen to the point in which it poses a serious threat

that places the future of our children at stake.

Students treat their teachers disrespectfully, behave nonchalantly with their studies,

and keep unhealthy relationships among several other vices.

This has caused an exponential increase as seen and reported in the mass failures

recorded in external examinations. Even those with some vestige sense of propriety

are slowly, and sadly so, giving in.

The problem of indiscipline in schools therefore, requires urgent attention. We all

have our part to play in seeing that this problem is thoroughly abated.

Starting from individual families, it is sad that many parents in our country have

adopted the Western belief that discipline to a child is unnecessary. They even argue

that the ideology of correcting a child by inflicting some sense of pain, is abuse. In

fact, they propose that the best way to nurturing a child to good behaviours, is by

mere discussion and interaction.

Well, the substantial basis of this, is yet to be proven, at least, in our setting. I am not

however, suggesting that, as children, we cannot be discussed with. Where that

works, it is okay. But suggesting it as a general norm, caution needs to be applied.

The advocates of this ideology forget that the environment has always had an upper

hand in the battle for raising a child given that their young minds tend to easily

influenced by peer pressures all around them.

Being a young chap myself, the point I am stressing is that, raising a morally upright

child goes beyond dialogue and interaction. It is more about every parent, dutifully

employing strict measures of enforcing the right and laudable values –be it godly or

societal -into each child.

Still on the home front, it is of note that some parents who still hold child discipline in

a measure of reasonable esteem are still too busy with their jobs and businesses.

So, they are rarely available to give their children sufficient grooming as much as

could be required. Failure to achieve this feat is considered one of the major

bedrocks that foster indiscipline.

Next block to focus on is our schools. Things are so slack that nowadays, our

teachers, who are viewed as champions of discipline, are often not living up to

societal expectations. I mean no insults. It’s just that facts must be stated for the

purpose of these lapses being redressed.

Another issue, I think, is that lack of discipline from the homes makes the teachers

seem burdened with such an arduous task on their hands. In the current times,

teachers, in addition to multiple of tasks, also have to cope with diverse characters

and mannerisms and still stay sane enough to deliver as required of them.

As Napoleon Bonaparte once said “Great ambition is the passion of great character.

Those endowed with it may perform either good or bad acts, It all depends on the

principles which directs them”.

The effects of this quotation is that indiscipline is like a ‘disease’, which, left

untreated, gets widespread in every area of the lives of children. And as they grow

into youths, then later, adults, it will keep producing the same effects –unruly

humans.

I dare say that it is some of these effects we see exhibited by street urchins

and vagabonds that litter our societies.

 

What about the nauseating rise in teenage pregnancies? Do I need to mention the

scary increase in vices like cultism, fraud and rituals –all significant pointers to the

consequences of indiscipline?

Of course the society will not be spared as a major contribution to this growing mess.

We say it takes a community to raise a child. Yet, our values system in the society

have been watered down.

Need for good moral behaviour and respect for elders are no longer emphasized in

many of our social gatherings. Little surprising the gaping wound it has left in the

lives of our youths.

Combined efforts at salvaging this problem must be collective if we must find an

effective panacea to it. Every family unit up to the three tiers of governments and

schools must unite to instill discipline in children.

I strongly believe that with rigid measures enforced and executed both personally

and corporately, this deadly tumour will be a story for history.

 

*Shammah Peters is an upcoming writer in Lagos.