Dissipline in openbare laerskole : graad 7-persepsies van leerders en opvoeders / David Francois Venter

• Main Author: Venter, David Francois
• Language: other
• Published: North-West University 2014
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/10377

The objective of this research was to investigate the perceptions of Grade 7 learners and educators concerning discipline at public primary schools in District D16. In Chapter Two of this dissertation the researcher focussed on the nature and scope of discipline in a changing school environment. The researched literature firstly defines the concept discipline and the causes leading to disciplinary problems among learners. Schools have the choice of using punishment or preventive measures to achieve discipline. This is why these measures are fully defined and discussed by the researcher. It was important that the researcher explain the learners’ level of development in their early adolescence, as these learners’ perceptions were being investigated. The role that educators, classroom management, parents/caregivers and the school management team play in producing a preventive disciplinary system, is also defined. The second chapter on the literature presents an overview of the relevant available literature on education law and outlines the legal framework within which disciplinary precautions at contemporary public schools should function. The legal framework is presented form the Constitution as supreme authority of the country, the Schools Act and education regulations on discipline at public primary schools. The researcher then discusses the empirical research design by elucidating both designs of this study, namely quantitative and qualitative research. The strategies of data-capturing, namely questionnaires in the quantitative research and semi-structured interviews in the qualitative research, are discussed. The researcher also indicates that he used two pilot studies while conducting the empirical research of his dissertation. The data were extrapolated from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Learner responses were used to determine the factor analysis, after which the same factors were applied for educators. Categories, themes and topics were identified concerning the analysis and interpretation of the qualitative data. Educators often turn to illegal forms of punishment in a desperate attempt to maintain discipline. At times they experience that contemporary methods are not effective and that not much can be done about the appalling behaviour of learners. However, the research indicates that these are methods of disciplining which can be applied successfully. Educators must move away from a disciplinary system of punishment and apply measures directed at preventive discipline. === MEd, Education Law, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012