Abstract:
The study is about the factors contributing to the lack of discipline in
secondary schools in the Mangaung Area of Bloemfontein in the Free State
province and possible solutions. The main aim of the study was to
investigate the factors which contribute to the lack of discipline in secondary
schools. The instrument that was used to collect data in this study was a
questionnaire. The researcher also explained why the use of questionnaires
was preferred over other instruments.
The results of the study reveal that there are various factors which contribute
to the lack of discipline. Some of the factors which contribute to the lack of
discipline include: non-involvement of the parents; children, who due to
various circumstances, stay at home alone without parent supervision;
educators involved in inappropriate relationships with the learners; low selfesteem
on the part of the learners; children rights that are over-emphasised,
drugs and lack of interest in extra-curricular activities.
The results also indicated some possible solutions to the problem of
discipline in schools. These inClude: parental involvement in education; reinstatinJ
corporal" punishment; the revision of the admission policy; the
developmenfof clear policies on how to use disciplinary measures in schools
and educating learners about their rights and responsibilities.
The following recommendations to reduce disciplinary problems were made
by th~ researcher: Motivation and empowerment of educators; involvement of
parents; ending inappropriate relationships between the educators and the
learners; involving the police in fighting gangsterism in schools; involving
counsellors and social workers on the issue of substance abuse in schools;
teaching children about their rights and reducing the large number of learners
in overcrowded classes.
