Strategies Used by Heads of Schools in Enhancing Discipline in Secondary Schools in Siha District

Abstract

The study investigated the strategies used by the heads of schools in enhancing discipline in public secondary schools in Siha District, Tanzania. The study was guided by two research questions. This study adopted a mixed method approach under which a concurrent embedded design was be used. The sample for this study consisted of 4 heads of schools, 16 teachers, 240 students and 8 parents making a total number of 268 respondents. Data necessary to answer the research questions of this study was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. The study found that heads of school use punishment strategies to manage indiscipline cases in secondary schools. The study also found that sweeping, grass cutting, flogging, kneeling down, suspension and extra class work was used by heads of schools to manage students discipline problem. The study also found that heads of schools involve parents as strategies to manage students’ indiscipline cases. The study concluded that heads of schools have to use punishment to manage indiscipline cases to students. punishment as school management tool has however resulted to some violent incidents of students’ unrest in some secondary schools. The study also concluded that heads of schools have to involve parents in their children indiscipline cases. The study was recommended that Ministry of Education should provide policy guidelines on the use of guidance and counselling for the management of discipline in secondary schools. Increased efforts should also be made by the Ministry of Education, Department of Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards to regularly supervise and monitor the schools which were not adhering to the ban on corporal punishment and were violating the child rights