An investigation into students’ indiscipline cases in secondary schools in Tanzania

This study set to investigate students’ indiscipline cases in secondary schools in Tanzania. Specifically the study explored the common acts of students’ indiscipline, causes of students’ indiscipline cases, the impacts of students’ indiscipline cases on the teaching and learning process as well as the measures employed to minimize students’ indiscipline cases in secondary schools in Tanzania. The study was conducted in four public secondary schools in Ilala Municipality in Tanzania. It mainly employed qualitative research approach and multiple case study design. A total of fifty two (52) participants were involved. These participants included four (4) heads of schools, four (4) discipline teachers, twelve (12) teachers and thirty two (32) students. Purposive sampling, convenience sampling and stratified random sampling were employed to select participants. Data were collected using interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review. Content analysis was employed to analyse data. The study found out that the common acts of students’ indiscipline in secondary school include among others; abusive language, drug abuse, alcohol taking, absenteeism, lateness to class, indecent dressing as well as students’ unsafe sexual relationship. It was further noted that indiscipline cases in secondary schools were caused by lack of parents’ support to discipline their children, peer groups, lack of friendly school environment, overcrowded classes as well as globalization. In addition the findings on the impacts of indiscipline cases revealed; poor academic performance, loss of teaching morale, distraction of classes, and misunderstanding between teachers and parents as well as between teachers and students. Findings further noted measures employed to solve indiscipline problems included; teachers working as a team, guidance and counseling as well as corporal punishment. Moreover, establishment of discipline clubs, and involvement of police into serious matters was among the measures employed to solve indiscipline problems. The study concluded that indiscipline cases were a common problem among many secondary schools in Tanzania. The problem was the result of external and internal factors such as lack of parents support on disciplining students, peer influence, overcrowded classes, single parents, failure to enforce school rules and regulations, low family income and globalization. Finally, various means are employed to solve indiscipline cases in schools. Teachers prefer corporal punishment to other measures because it saves time; unlike guidance and counseling. Guidance and counseling was poorly organized in school involved in the study. The study recommends schools to establish effective guidance and counseling units to assist students with indiscipline cases. Moreover, parents need to play their role in proper upbringing of their children. The research findings has established poor relationship between parents and teachers in discipline students, this study therefore recommends another study to be conducted on the best practices to enhance school and parents relationship in upbringing of students. In addition, another study should be conducted on challenges facing teachers when dealing with students’ indiscipline. Finally, this study employed a qualitative approach it then recommends studies to be conducted using quantitative approach.