Perception Of Teachers On The Causes Of Indiscipline Among Post-Primary School Students

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study
An almost universal anxiety exists in relation to curbing indiscipline in the schools. We have visions of loosing control to the extent that students are at best ignored and this makes them to engage in several undesirable acts. The issue of indiscipline demands our serious consideration and resolution because of its visible impediment to national growth and development.
Indiscipline is a derivative of the word discipline. In an attempt to discuss indiscipline intensively, we need to discuss the concept of ‘discipline’. Discipline is a multifaceted concept that is essential if effective learning and learning will take place in the school. According to the chamber twentieth century dictionary: discipline is a mode of life in accordance with rules; subjection to control.
Akinboye (1982) viewed discipline as a procedure of rules and strategies which lead the child to manage his/her behaviour patterns in such a way that he/she is able to maintain socially and culturally acceptable order. Discipline represents a successful resolution of conflict between what an individual was to do and the limitations and restrictions imposed by the society in which he lives (Jimoh, 2002).
Adesina, (1980) defined discipline with reference to the school system as how students are taught to respect the school authorities, to observe the school laws and regulations and to maintain an established standard of behaviour.
‘Discipline’ in the school is now passing through an extended eclipse. The problem of indiscipline permeates all facets of our life. It is better pictured by a cartoonist showing an agile horse ready to move but bugged and tied down by an ugly looking archer who is named “Indiscipline” (Yaroson, 2004).
Indiscipline is the direct opposite of discipline, Aiyepeku (1987) defines indiscipline as any act that does not conform with the societal values and norms. He further stated that behaviours that are termed as acts of indiscipline as any and norms. He further stated that behaviours that are termed as acts of indiscipline in the school context include; stealing, rudeness, lateness e.t.c.
Okoye (1986), opined that behaviours that run counter to the values and expectation of the society and order of a community can be referred to as deviant behaviour. Omoegun (1995) noted that the school comprises of students from different homes and thus producer a complex set of behaviours which they exhibit positively or negatively.
So many measures have been taken to reduce indiscipline to a minimal level in our society. War Against Indiscipline (WAI) was launched on the 20th of March 1984 by the regime of Buhari/Idiagbon to maintain discipline. Also ICPC, EFCC were also launched among others to deal with various cases of indiscipline. Today, the society is characterized with various forms of misconduct such as cultism, teenage parenting, drug addiction examination malpractices, delinquency, foul language, embezzlement, bribery, mismanagement as outlined by Asonibare and Mordi (1984).
The best way to solve a problem as observe by Morgan (1995), is to identify the causal factors, it is in this regard that a study on the causes of indiscipline among post-primary school students in the recent time is considered appropriate.
The choice of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State is necessitated by the recent report that Kogi State is rated 2nd on the list of states involved in examination malpractice for the years 2002 – 2004 WAEC and NECO Exams; this indeed is a gross act of indiscipline. Also, in 2009, a female student in SS (1) slapped a male teacher in one of the selected schools (Local government comprehensive secondary school, Kabba) for attempting to correct her. Similarly a group of JSS 3 students left the class for a palm wine joint, drink themselves to stupor and returned back to the class, only to start destroying things.
In view of the above background, a study on the causes of indiscipline among post-primary school students in considered appropriate.

Statement of the Problem
Indiscipline has become a cancer eating deeply the educational sector and this situation therefore needs urgent attention several considerable works has been done on indiscipline from the review of literature. Such as Sutherland and Crespey (1960), Fasina (2001), Dixon (1967), Jimoh (2002), Adegoke (2003), to mention but a few. Most of these educationists based their work on causes of indiscipline and how to maintain discipline in schools. for instance, Jimoh (2002) based his work on causes of indiscipline among the youth while Adegoke (2003) dedicated his work to teenage pregnancy and abortion as an act of indiscipline.
Most people often blame teachers for the misbehaviour of post-primary school students while the teachers in turn attributes such misconduct to parents. Hence, there is need to investigate the cause of indiscipline among post-primary school students as perceived by the teachers to ascertain likely solutions to this problem.

Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to find out the perception of teachers on causes of indiscipline among post-primary school students in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The researcher tends to investigate and solicits the teachers opinion on the causes of indiscipline among post-primary school students.
It also looked into the extent to which indiscipline ahs affected post-primary schools in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and profer possible solutions.

Research Questions
Based on the statement of the problem, the following research questions were posed to guide the conduct of this study and its analysis.
(1) What are the causes of indiscipline among post-primary school students in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area as expressed by the teachers?
(2) What are the consequences of indiscipline among students in post-primary school as expressed by teachers?
(3) Is there differences on the causes of discipline among students in post-primary school as expressed by the teachers on the basis of sex?
(4) Is there difference on the consequences of indiscipline among students in post-primary school as expressed by teachers on the basis of sex?
(5) Is there differences on the causes of indiscipline among post-primary school students as perceived by teachers on the basis of religion?
(6) Is there difference on the consequences of indiscipline among students in post-primary school as expressed by teachers on basis of religion?
(7) Is there difference in the perception of teachers on the causes of indiscipline among post-primary school students on the basis of length of service?
(8) Is there difference on the consequences of indiscipline among students in post-primary school as expressed by teachers on the basis of length of service?

Research Hypothesis
For the purpose of this study, eight null hypothesis were formulated as follow:
(1) There is no significant different on the causes of indiscipline among students of post-primary school as expressed by teachers on the basis of religion.
(2) There is no significant difference on the consequences of indiscipline among post-primary school students as expressed by teachers on the basis of religion.
(3) There is no significant difference on the causes of indiscipline among post-priamry school students as expressed by teachers on the basis of length of service.
(4) There is no significant difference on the consequences of indiscipline among post-primary school students as expressed by teachers on the basis of length of services.
(5) There is no significant difference on the causes of indiscipline among students of post-primary schools as expressed by teachers on the basis of sex.
(6) There is no significant difference on the consequences of indiscipline among students of post-primary schools as expressed by teachers on the basis of sex.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The study is designed to investigate the cause of indiscipline among post-primary school students as perceived by the teachers in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. It involves the teachers of the selected schools. A questionnaire titled: causes and consequences of indiscipline Questionnaire (CCIQ).

Operational Definition of Terms
The following terms used in the study operationally defined to aid readers’ understand and to avoid misinterpretation.
Discipline: An act of behaving in an orderly manner, obedience to rules and regulations, norms, value and to have self control.
Indiscipline: It is an act of violating laid down rules and regulations. A behavioural disorder that is classified as an act of delinquency.
Perception: – The way one feel about something to have insight into or to be aware of an instance.
Deviant: A person who refuses to conform to the norms of the society.
Delinquency: A bad or criminal behaviour associated with young people or the adolescents.

Significance of the study
This research work will be useful to parents, teachers, school authorities and future researchers. The result of this study would be of importance to school administrators who are saddled with the responsibility of finding out the increased wave of indiscipline among post-primary school students and how to curb it.
It will also enable teachers to inculcate good moral attitudes into students and use good methods of teaching.
Bojuwoye (1990) opined that indiscipline and inappropriate behaviour emanates from home; hence this study will also draw parents/guardians attention to ways of influencing their wards positively.
The study will also help secondary school students in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, their parents and the society at large in identifying the causes of indiscipline and proffer suitable solutions to it.
Finally, it is expected that the result of this study would furnish future researchers with useful data as well as pave way for further research in related problems.