International Council for Education, Research and Training

Challenges faced by head teachers in the management of students' indiscipline in secondary schools in Anambra State

Umeji, Ifeoma Chinyere

Department of primary education, school of early childhood care and primary education,

Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe, Anambra state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the challenges encountered by head teachers in managing students’ indiscipline in secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from head teachers through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study revealed several challenges, including difficulties in identifying root causes of indiscipline, ensuring consistency in disciplinary actions, addressing peer pressure and social dynamics, and managing large class sizes. Despite these challenges, head teachers implemented various strategies to manage indiscipline, including fostering positive relationships, encouraging open communication channels, offering counseling and support services, and promoting student involvement in decision-making processes. The findings underscore the importance of proactive interventions and collaborative efforts among school stakeholders to address indiscipline effectively. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the unique challenges faced by head teachers in Anambra State and offers recommendations for improving disciplinary practices in secondary schools.

Keywords: Challenges, head teachers, management, students’ indiscipline, secondary schools

Impact Statement

This study critically examines the challenges head teachers face in managing pupils’ indiscipline in primary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria, offering substantial insights for educational practice and policy. By identifying core issues such as difficulties in pinpointing causes of indiscipline, maintaining consistency in disciplinary actions, and handling large class sizes, this research provides a nuanced understanding of the barriers to effective school management. The findings emphasize the necessity for targeted strategies, including fostering positive relationships, encouraging open communication, and implementing reward systems, to enhance disciplinary practices. The research contributes to the literature by highlighting unique regional challenges and proposing actionable recommendations, thus guiding future interventions and policy adjustments. This knowledge is crucial for improving school climates and academic outcomes, ultimately supporting the development of more effective educational environments in Niger

About the Author

Professor Aina Thompson Adeboyejo (Ph.D MNITP, RTP) is a registered Planner and a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning. He was: a visiting Professor to the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Venda, Limpopo Province, South Africa and Dean Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. His research interest include: Urban development; population, environment and health relationship and Climate change and cities. He has well over ninety publications in reputable journals. He has over twenty five years of teaching and research experience and has so far produced so many doctoral candidates. Email  thompsonadeboyejo@yahoo.com

 

ABATAN, Stephen Olasunkanmi is a season researcher. He had his First National Diploma Certificate in Architectural Technology at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, had his First Degree at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. He had his Masters at the Premier University (University of Ibadan), Currently Undertaking his PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria. He is a Registered Town Planner with an Architectural Background and has vast understanding in The Built Environment, Waste Governance, Waste Management and Housing. He is a Team Player, a Development Knowledge Facilitator. He is the Pioneer and Current Head of Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.

Lukuman MUSIBAU holds PhD (Real Estate) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and MSc in Housing from University of Ibadan-Nigeria. He is a Member of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (ANIVS) and Registered Estate Surveyor and Valuer (RSV). He was Head, Department of Estate Management and Valuation, Federal Polytechnic, Ede; with public service experience as Senior Special Assistant/Sub-National Consultant, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to Executive Governor, Osun State-Nigeria, Technical Assistant on MDGs and SDGs to Presidency and Osun State Government in Nigeria; and external examiner for MSc and Doctorate candidates at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa and external examiner for undergraduate students at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara State; Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun State; Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State; and Federal Polytechnic Offa, Offa, Kwara State amongst others in Nigeria. He specializes and has high interest in pro-poor development activities.

Abatan Omolara Rukayat (NEE BANKOLE) holds a Higher National Degree in Estate Management and Valuation from The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. She is a fresh graduate and presently a Part-Time Lecturer at The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Her research interest includes Housing Issues and Property Valuation towards proffering solution to local, national and international housing problem and property valuation.

 

Obanewo-Peter Esther Olamide is a registered town planner with an Architectural technology background. She rose to the position of a Principal Technologist before crossing to the Academic line at Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun state. She has a Higher National Diploma Certificate in Architectural Technology, and had her first degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria and currently, she is undertaking her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at the Osun State University, Oshogbo, Nigeria. She is an expert in Environmental Planning and waste Management, Remote Sensing, Urban Design and Housing

References

 

  1. Ademola, I. A., Okebukola, P. A., Oladejo, A. I., Onowugbeda, F. U., Gbeleyi, O. A., & Agbanimu, D. O. (2021). Teachers’ qualifications and teaching experience: Impact on quality assurance in Nigeria secondary education. NOUN Journal of Management and International Development, 6(1), 260–272.

  2. Agwu, P., Orjiakor, C. T., Odii, A., Onalu, C., Nzeadibe, C., Roy, P., Onwujekwe, O., & Okoye, U. (2023). Leadership for ethical conduct of Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in Nigeria and the challenge of “Miracle Examination Centres”. Oxford Review of Education, 1–17.

  3. Akinyemi, I. A., Gbesoevi, E. S., & Afolabi, S. A. (2024). Exploring classroom environment as a predominant factor affecting students’ academic performance in Lagos State junior secondary schools, Nigeria. Journal of Education and Learning Research, 2(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.62208/jelr.2.1.p.25-35

  4. Akporehe, D. A., & Asiyai, R. I. (2023). Principals’ managerial skills and teachers’ job performance: Evidence from public secondary schools in Delta State, Nigeria. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 4(3), 78–84. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2023.4.3.591

  5. Enefu, S. M., Obaka, P. H., Okaforcha, C. C., & Haruna, M. M. (2019). Effects of indiscipline on academic performance of secondary school students in Dekina LGA of Kogi State. BSUJEM, 1, 37–46.

  6. Iheanacho, R. A., Oyo-Ita, M. E., Ofoegbu, J. U., & Akpan, N. A. (2023). Family psychological wealth, peer pressure, and corruption tendencies of adolescent students in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1–8.

  7. Kiogolo, M. E., & Mtana, N. (2022). The contribution of classroom management practices on learners’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Morogoro Municipality. East African Journal of Education Studies, 5(2), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.5.2.816

  8. Kumah, P. K., Dapaah, J. M., Dwumah, P., Hubert, B. A., & Addai, I. (2023). Effective disciplinary strategies to combating indiscipline in Public Senior High Schools in Kumasi, Ghana. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(7), 43–64. https://doi.org/10.47941/jep.1541

  9. Mohammed, H., Ogunode, N. J., & Yahaya, D. M. (2021). Challenges facing Administrators of Public Secondary Schools in Nigeria And the Way Forward. Middle European Scientific Bulletin, 19, 58–67.

  10. Nguyen, H. T., & Ho. (2024). Impacts of education and perception on Vietnamese high school students’ behaviors regarding plastic waste: the mediating role of attitude. T.T.Q., Hoang, B. L., & Le, T. C. T. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1–13.

  11. Obiunu, J. J., & Rachael, O. (2018). Home background, peer group pressure and truancy among secondary school adolescent students in Edo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Sciences, 3(1), 46–51. https://doi.org/10.20448/2001.31.46.51

  12. Ohunene, L. A., Audu, B. C., & Jacob, O. N. (2021). Challenges facing counsellors in Nigerian public primary schools and way forward. Middle European Scientific Bulletin, 17, 301–310.

  13. Osiesi, M. P., Sanni, K. T., Blignaut, S., Adeniran, S. A., Dikko, B. O., Fajobi, O. O., Adekoya, A. F., Udemba, E. C., & Adegboyega, S. M. (2023). Psychosocial factors as predictors of aggressive behaviors among primary school learners. Aggressive Behavior, 49(6), 602–615. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22098

  14. Pianta, R. C. (2017). Teacher–student interactions: Measurement, impacts, improvement, and policy. In Teachers, teaching, and reform (pp. 75–93). Routledge

  15. Quinn, D. M. (2002). The impact of principal leadership behaviors on instructional practice and student engagement. Journal of Educational Administration, 40(5), 447–467. https://doi.org/10.1108/09578230210440294

  16. Salaudeen, K. A., Gbolagade, A. M., & Sangoniyi, S. O. (2021). Indiscipline: A destructive tool on the academic performance of secondary school students in Mathematics. International Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 21(9).

  17. Stephen, O. (2023). Students’ discipline and academic performance indices in Uganda certificate of education examinations. International Journal of Educational Policy Research and Review, 10(2), 44.

  18. Temitayo, O., Nayaya, M. A., & Lukman, A. A. (2013). Management of disciplinary problems in secondary schools: Jalingo metropolis in focus. Global Journal of Human Social Science. Linguistics and Education, 13(14), 7–19.

  19. Wong, A., Lee, D., & Chan, C. (2022). Do school reputation and price matter? The choice for continuing education in acquiring digital skills by adult learners. Education and Information Technologies, 27(9), 12495–12521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11133-1

  20. Kulkarni, S. R., & Kulkarni, S. S. (2024). Revolutionizing organizations by technological innovations in HR. Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 03(01), 03–14. https://doi.org/10.59231/sari7650

  21. Adeyanju, J. O., & Ajani, I. O. (2023). Educational Counseling Strategies for Curbing academic dishonesty among students in higher Institutions. Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 01(02), 210–221. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/8985

  22. Bhagoji, M. D. (2024). Navigating Global Dynamics in Teacher Education: A Comprehensive Overview. Shodh Sari-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 03(01), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.59231/sari7660

  23. Kumar, S., & Simran. (2024). Equity in K-12 STEAM education. Eduphoria, 02(03), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.59231/eduphoria/230412

Scroll to Top