Academic staff and students' perception of discipline in Mfantsipim school, Cape Coast

Abstract

Discipline has been defined in various ways by different authors. It is, therefore, not surprising that different groups have various perceptions of discipline. This dissertation on “Perception of Academic Staff and Students of Mfantsipim School on Discipline” therefore sought to find out the perceptions as they pertain in Mfantsipim School. The academic staff and the students were given questionnaires to select responses as they deemed necessary when questions on discipline were raised. Two hundred and sixty-eight (268) students and eighty (80) members of the academic staff were selected to respond to the questionnaire. At the end of the analyses, it came out clearly that the perceptions on discipline by the academic staff and the students differed. The perception of discipline differed with sex and age groupings in the school as well. On how discipline affected studies of the students, they (96%) agreed that they achieved better results in studies. The academic staff (100%) stated they had more time to spend on lessons. On causes of indiscipline, 90%, of the students stated delay in dining meals as the most important factor. With the academic staff (100%) stated lack of textbooks as the major factor of indiscipline. To improve discipline in Mfantsipim School, both students and the academic staff believed positive encouragement and reinforcement was the most important strategy.