Student discipline and students' academic performance in selected secondary schools in Lwengo sub-county, Lwengo District.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Student academic performance is associated with school discipline. The purpose of this study was to investigate the student discipline and academic performance in selected secondary schools in Lwengo district .The specific objectives of this study were: to examine the management indicators of school discipline, to examine the effect of the discipline management on students’ performance, and to find strategies of improving student discipline for better academic performance. The study used descriptive study design, and data was collected using interviews and questionnaires for the students, head teachers, teachers, board of governors and local leaders. The target population consisted of selected secondary schools in Lwengo district, their head teachers, parents, teachers and students and board of governor. Data was analyzed using descriptively, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), the analyzed data was then presented in narrative form, using frequency tables, means and percentages, the findings of this study show that roll call may not be regularly conducted in schools to check students’ discipline. There has been reduction in consumption of drugs. The use of rewards to recognize acceptable classroom norms and punishments to discourage unacceptable classroom norms would positively impact on discipline promotion among students. Recommendations derived from the study were; school administration should continue employing regular roll calls, sharing copies of school rules and timetables, providing counseling and guidance, recognizing acceptable classroom norms as major mechanisms for enhancing students’ discipline for better academic performance, increase in parental involvement because parents make a difference in student achievement and behavior, Schools should institute policies requiring teachers to contact parents periodically , classroom management should include the dissemination and the use of a discipline plan. Further research could also include exploring the roles of the different discipline management mechanisms and the role of school administrators in charge of school discipline