Managing Ill-Discipline among Learners in Disadvantaged Schools

Abstract The management of ill-discipline among learners has become a serious challenge for teachers. This article reports on a study conducted to determine how teachers in the primary schools of the Matjhabeng Municipality, Free State, South Africa, manage ill-discipline among learners. A mixed method approach, which comprised a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, was used to collect data. Sixteen teachers completed the questionnaire and eight of them were also interviewed. The results revealed that the majority of the participants applied approved or acceptable measures of managing ill-discipline, such as talking politely to learners; chasing learners out of the classroom; and involving the principal and parents. However, some of the participants applied unapproved or illegal measures of disciplining learners, such as inflicting corporal punishment; swearing at learners; and pinching learners. The participants who applied the unapproved or illegal measures of disciplining learners reported that these measures were more effective than the approved measures. All the participants reported that although the approved measures were unhelpful in maintaining an environment conducive for effective teaching and learning, they were compelled to apply them. The training of teachers in the approved disciplinary practices, as well as the involvement of parents in learner discipline, are recommended.