Hiiraan Online

Abdullahi Dool
Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Discipline in schools may not be a quotidian (everyday) topic but when it comes to the wellbeing of any nation, nothing is irrelevant or too small. Unfortunately, back home, this is a time when our people are struggling with famine, lack of security, spiraling violence and now food prices which have gone through the roof. Many schools remain closed for lack of security or resources.

In a program aired on 22 July 2008 by the Somali Service of the BBC, we heard crisis of discipline in schools in the Northern Frontier Districts of Kenya. The interviewee had stressed how pupils have got out of control. The underlying issue in discussion was, to discipline, whether the use of physical punishment is proper.

Discipline is a necessary part of school life and good discipline is based on an agreement between the school and parents about what is expected of your child. Parents are always encouraged to work with the school to try and solve any problems that may arise. ^[1]

In the UK, “The government advises schools to focus on promoting positive behaviour, helping to build self-discipline and encouraging respect for others. But schools also need sanctions to deter pupils from misbehaving … Schools should review their behaviour policies regularly and publicize them to parents, staff and pupils. Behaviour policies should include a code of conduct for pupils. Rules on conduct can apply before and after school as well as during the school day. They can set expectations for how pupils will behave in corridors, in bus queues and at lunch and break times as well as in the classroom.” ^[2]

There are no children who are born to be bad. It is circumstances or poor upbringing which can produce unruliness in children; disruptive or vulnerable children. The question is: Is there a way to discipline without the use of violence? It is ineptitude to suggest the use of violence as the only means to discipline. Of course, children can be disciplined without the use of pain as deterrence of bad behaviour.

Physically punishing youngsters can make children identify education (school) with fear and violence. A child who has been assaulted physically may not see his or her school as a pleasant and fun place to be. “Teachers can’t punish pupils physically, but can physically restrain them where it’s necessary to stop a pupil injuring him or herself or someone else, damaging property or causing serious disruption.” ^[3]

Flogging children ingrain discipline but at a price. Hitting children is abuse which can have damaging consequences. Physical punishment can damage children emotionally and psychologically. Hitting children can also damage their self-esteem. Abused children, when they become parents will most likely abuse their own children. Why many abused children remain quiet is not only because they have been chastised but it is possible they have suffered a personality switch: they are probably nursing internal (emotional) damages. The use of violence against children also has consequences for society. There is a relation between the abuse of children and the formation of a violent society where violence is used as the means to settle conflicts.

The world has moved on from the age of the use of violence (flogging) to imbibe discipline. It is ridiculous to suggest that forbidding the use of physical punishment is a foreign (western) culture. It does not mean parents in those nations care less to discipline children. There is a reason why physical punishment is discouraged in the developed world.

Children have abundant energy and curiosity which need to be channeled to good use. They need to be engaged and preoccupied. A number of schemes can be introduced without resorting to drastic methods. Pupils need to be inspired to bring out their good behaviour. Children love recognition and winning prizes to stand above their peers and make their parents proud. Pupils need to compete for different levels of reward for good behaviour. The schools in Northern Frontier Districts should combat ill-discipline by challenging and inspiring children. They need to introduce imaginative steps such as:

• Recognition for good behaviour. This is a recognition system where pupils can compete for prizes on a number of activities to instill discipline by inspiring good behaviour. Pupils in every class (school) can be encouraged to strive towards the winning of three different (1-3) levels of prizes.

• Zero tolerance to truancy. Class attendance is the most important factor in educational achievement. No school should allow pupils to miss a school day without justification from the parent (guardian).

• Literacy and Numeracy. To encourage literacy and numeracy, schools should establish recognition and reward for such achievements. Pupils need to compete to achieve awards for literacy and numeracy. This can also help in the quest to busy and preoccupy young minds.

• Parent participation. To discipline unruly and disruptive pupils there needs to be the involvement of parents. This should be carried out in a sensitive way which does not put off children and cause the banishment of children from education. Schools should always keep in mind that there could be underlying circumstances (problems) in the home of a pupil.

• Mentoring activities. Where one can, it is important to encourage pupils to take part in activities such as scouting, outside activities (outings), scaling etc. It is also essential to establish activities such as drama club, literary and debate club, science club etc.

• Sports activities. If the school has enough land and resources it is important to establish sports activities such as volleyball, basketball and football. Table tennis may not cost much and it will not need much space.

• Zero tolerance to bullying. This is a serious issue. There should be zero tolerance for bullies who prey on children and thrive on their misfortune and discomfort. Bullies can disrupt the lives and progress of pupils. It can ruin the lives of many children.
• Uniform. Another essential item in the armoury to instill discipline is uniform. Any school which can afford uniform should introduce school uniform.

• School committee. A committee out of the school pupils is on one hand recognition for those who are asked to join and on the other may help schools for self-policing to root out bad behaviour. The school headmaster should act on the recommendation of teachers to invite those selected for good behaviour from classes to form the school committee. Their purpose is to oversee discipline and good behaviour on school grounds. Some of the things which should be targeted are bullying, liter, untidiness (sloppiness), unkempt hair etc. Such signs are signs of neglect and ill-discipline.
  
• A Parents’ Day. It is very important schools to have a parents’ day which is hosted the day before school holidays. This is one special day for pupils, parents and the school. It is a day schools invite parents to exhibit all sorts of activities to make parents proud. All prizes such as prizes for good conduct are announced on this day.

Respect for others. Respect to others is to treat others as one likes to be treated. Confucius, the Chinese Philosopher and social reformer once said: “Without respect what is there to differentiate between man and beast?” To navigate themselves through life and school it is useful to imbue children (pupils) respect for others. However, no amount of school discipline will be useful if a child is raised in a home where parents exhibit little or no respect to others. “Treating people with respect makes your world a nicer place to live in, whether it's at home, at school, or out in your community. And it's easy:  all you have to do is treat people the way you like to have them treat you. Here are a few ideas.” The following are some of the values ^4]

• Don't insult or disrespect people.
• Listen to others when they speak.
• Value other people's opinions.
• Be considerate of people's likes and dislikes.
• Don't mock or tease people.
• Don't talk about people behind their backs.
• Be sensitive to other people's feelings.
• Don't pressure anyone to do something he or she doesn't want to do.^[5]

In any society children are the vanguard and leaders of tomorrow. They are the generation in which will depend the continued existence of every nation. To discipline the next generation the best way is not physical punishment. The use of intellect is the best tool to discipline children (pupils). This will no doubt produce a society which uses its head more than its arm to settle conflicts

This is a small world, made smaller by technology. No-one has the monopoly to good ideas or things. Nobody has said you cannot use or enjoy something which was not made by you or your nation. So how valid is the argument of those who utter, ‘we cannot use this or that because it is from Europe or the west’?’ This is an argument which has no legs to stand on. I have not heard anyone who complains about the use of technological advances such as modern air travel, the Internet and many more because they were made by Europeans or the West. This is an interdependent world. For instance, the oil from Muslim nations is used in Europe or North America to run all sorts of things. What we need is to learn from one another not despise one another.

Notes

1. Parents centre.

2. Directgov

3. Directgov

4. Teaching Guide

5. Teaching Guide.

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