Abstract

This study on discipline and academic performance in Geography is aim at raising awareness of parents, students, teaching and school administrators towards the challenges our school system faces due to indisciplinary behavior.  Discipline is explained as a major cause of success in the general performance and standard of education in Cameroon.

It is for this reason that the researcher carry out “The Effect of Discipline on Students Academic Performance in Geography” in Secondary Schools in Buea Municipality”. The study sample consisted of 40 students and 10 teachers drawn from the government, and lay- private Secondary Schools, a total of two major schools made up the sample.

The descriptive survey design was used and questionnaire both open and closed-ended for the collection of data. Frequency, simple percentage and mean were used in data analysis. The findings of the study were: late coming negatively affects students’ academic performance. Absenteeism negatively affects students’ academic performance. Students’ impoliteness negatively affects their academic performance, and fighting also negatively affects students academic performance.

This study also found that some of the solutions to reduce late coming, absenteeism, fighting, and impoliteness are punishment, intensive roll call, guidance and counseling classes, and collaboration of teachers and parents’. The study also recommended that there is the need for teachers and parents collaboration, advice and orientate students’, students’ should attain this counseling classes, stay away from bad friends. Parents’ should also wake children up to go early to school and also reduce children’s chores in the morning.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

This chapter deals with the background of the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research questions, significance of the study, delimitation of the study and operational definition of terms. Insufficient discipline has affected learners’ academic performance and theirs progress in school life- Nicholas and Findley (1985:312) state that good discipline develops desirable students’ behaviour.

It a school has effective discipline, the academic performance will be good, and interactions between the learners as well as education will be easy and smooth. Gawe Vakalisa and Jacob’s (2001:190) emphasized cooperative learning academically will be Poor-West (1982:76) suggests that criminal activities results because of dropouts caused by failure to cope with school discipline. Good discipline at school plays a very vital role in the achievement of goals and expectations.

Discipline also plays an important role in the acquisition of responsibility effective discipline creates a good image of the school and prepares learners future. Disruptive behaviour amongst learners is eliminated if there is good discipline at school. the implementation of effective discipline at school is a key for the learner in his journey to adulthood. In the ministerial text, the minister of secondary education Louis Bapes Bapes have put in place some clauses that would help control discipline in secondary schools. The circular letter No 34/13/C/MINESEC/CAB of 7th October, 2013 on approval of the follow-up of the application and respect of internal rules and regulation in schools

No 34/09/C/MINESEC/IGs of 12th October, 2003 ban the use of mobile phones in secondary schools

No 15/D/7/MINEDUC/ESG/SGG/SCP of 2nd April, 1991 on outright dismissal of students.

Circular letter No 07/06/C/MINESEC/SG/DESG of 23rd January, 2006 against the use of wrong badges forms or booklets not prescribed by official instruments.

The principal as manager needs to have an effective leadership style so as to acquaint herself with the challenges of disciplining learners; Everard and Morris (1996:14) say leadership style can play a major role to the challenge of discipline.

Statement of the Problem

According to Article 35 of the Cameroon educational penal code has abolished corporal punishments in secondary schools under the guidelines No98/004 1998 which may encourage indiscipline in schools should be well planned and prepared. For discipline to take place there must be authority and respect for rules and regulations. Also, for discipline to take place effectively, the learning activities should be well planned and prepared.

The problem that will be investigated in this study pertains to educators’ perception of this discipline in schools, educators, teachers and parents must make sure that discipline reigns because the absence of discipline will have a negative impact on the learning process and attainment of educational objectives will be difficult.

Most learners behaviour such as fighting in class, absences, coming late to school, impoliteness and disrespect of authorities making noise while lessons are going on might have an influence on performance. To this extent, this study is to ascertain the effect of discipline on students’ performance.

The key to establishing good discipline at school also lies in learners accepting the educators’ authority to manage their behaviour and their progress in learning. Also, classroom management is a necessary condition for effective discipline and student learning.

General Objective

Discipline and academic performance in secondary schools in Buea Municipality

Specific Objective

1. To what extent does Late coming affect academic performance?
2. To what extent do Students’ absences affect academic performance?
3. To what extent does Fighting affect academic performance?
4. To what extent does Students’ impoliteness affect academic performance?

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