THE PROBLEM OF INDISCIPLINE AMONG NIGERIA NAVY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background Of The Study: Education is the aggregate of all processes by which a child or adult develops the abilities, attributes and other forms of behaviour that present values to his society. One of the cardinal objectives of education as spelt out in the National Policy of Education (2004) revised, is to inculcate right of values and attitude for the survival of the individual and Nigerian society.

Primary education forms the basis of the entire system of education, its importance lies in the fact that it serves as the foundation on which the subsequent edifice education system is raised. The immense contribution it makes to the overall development of the country is indicated by the research studies undertaken both in developed and developing countries including Nigeria, in order to achieve the universalization of primary education (Quadric, 2001).

The society at large help to contribute to the indiscipline problem among primary school pupils in that the society cherishes wealth and honour and honour wealthy individuals. Hence, the poor individual has no place at all. The importance the society attaches to wealth lure the young boys and girls to pursue wealth rather than education, which has long lasting value and legacy (Sanni, 2010).

The word indiscipline can be described as a mode of life not in conformity with rules and regulations. The term connotes the regulate capable of obstructing the smooth and orderly function of the school system. Some scholars identified indiscipline as a social menace that act across all human discipline, and as a canker-worm which has eaten deep into the fabrics of national life (Asiyai, 2012).

Indiscipline has been suggested on its own as a factor responsible for all problems and vices, which permitted academic, religious, political and social life against the growth and development of a nation. In Educational institutions, indiscipline among primary school pupils ranges from truancy, negligence of duty, loitering, absenteeism, noise making, examination malpractice and so on. Also, gone are those days when pupils have believed in hard work as the honourable path to success (Ayeni, 2010).

Examination malpractice is no longer a new thing at the primary school level, pupils from different social status, privileged and downtrodden are involved in varying degree of indiscipline, respect for teachers and constituted authorities among primary school pupils has disappeared into thin air.

Indiscipline can also be found in family settings, religious homes like churches and mosques. Even though Nigeria today plays a significant role in Africa and international affairs, everywhere in Nigeria is still tensed with fear, anxiety, lack of harmony and various social ills. It is no exaggeration that to some extent, there is mass indisciplinary behaviours all over the country and this has grown from strength to strength daily.

Indiscipline can be found in all facet of our lives which could be among the poor and the rich, the literate and illiterate; and the young and old. As a result of low ethical value’s, various regimes in the recent times have created one body or another to combat indiscipline among Nigerian society (Ezekewesili, 2001).

Indiscipline in school is ranked as a major problem among primary school pupils in Nigeria. Disruptive behaviour is concerned with pupils whose education may be adversely affected, for these reason it cannot be ignored.

Indiscipline among primary school pupils has attracted serious attention of scholars and administrators (Mii and Makgata, 2006).

These scholars and administrators attributed indiscipline among primary school pupils to their state of development, they opined that when pupils notice certain biological changes signalling maturity in the cause of their growth and development, they tent to misbehave by flouting school rules and regulations.

However, the home and the school constitute an important factors in the formation of good or bad behaviour of pupils. The curriculum instruction provided by educational system must be the type that provide for moral and social need of the pupils which will result for moral in the growth and development of the nation.

Other incidence of indiscipline among primary school pupils are the society, lack of good leadership, rural-urban drift and so on (Naizpodia, 2010).

Some other likely incidence to indiscipline among primary school pupils according to Njoh (2003) is the home. The home is an important agent because this is where the pupil’s foundation and future are being laid by the parents. The home is supposed to be the place of peace, harmony, care, love and happiness, but in a home where this is lost or not found, it could result in indisciplinary behaviour in the child, like bullying, hatred, fighting and lack of respect for elders among others, which could have adverse effect on the pupils.

Other incidence from the home could be broken home. Large portion of delinquent pupils are from broken homes beset by quarrelling and fighting which result into parental neglect. These could make pupils develop negative attitude toward life. In schools, such pupils are found to be aggressive and are fond of picking quarrels with their peers because that is the types of life they grow up to know (Odia and Omofonmuwan, 2001).

In addition, some parents’ attitude towards the school and teachers is not encouraging, this is so because some parents always take sides with their children whenever they are involved in any indisciplinary act in school. If only parents could co-operate with the school authority to eradicate indiscipline in the school system, the society herself will be at rest.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

The problem of indiscipline in school has persisted over the years, with my experience during my teaching practice, the researcher realized that the problems of indiscipline in primary schools needs to be addresses. Some indiscipline behaviour exhibited by these pupil include truancy, bullying around when classes are going on, disrespect for teachers, disregard for school rules, and regulations, inattentive in class, among others. These negative behaviour could militate against effective teaching and learning process and the production of useful and acceptable members of the society. With regards to the problem above, the study seek to examine the problem of indiscipline among Navy primary school pupils.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The overall aim of this study is to critically examine the problem of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils. Hence, the study will be channeled to the following specific objectives;

1. Determine the prevalence of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils.

2. Find out the nature of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils.

3. Ascertain the factors responsible for indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils.

4. Determine the effects of indiscipline the academic performance of Nigerian navy primary school pupils.

1.4 Research Question

The study will be guided by the following questions;

1. What is the prevalence of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils?

2. What are the nature of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils?

3. What are the factors responsible for indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils?

4. What is the effects of indiscipline the academic performance of Nigerian navy primary school pupils?

1.5 Significance Of The Study

The result of the study will be beneficial to pupils because the research focus on them and the solution will bring a positive development about their behaviour problem.

The result of the study will be beneficial to parents in terms of the outcome of the research, they will know their roles as parent and nurture their children in godly manner.

The result of the study will also help the counsellors to find solution to the problems of indiscipline as regards to the incidence and effects on primary school pupils which will help in the management of pupils both in schools and their respective homes.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the problem of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils.

1.6 Scope Of The Study

This study is structured to generally examine the problem of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils. However, the study will further determine the prevalence of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils, find out the nature of indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils, ascertain the factors responsible for indiscipline among Nigerian navy primary school pupils, and determine the effects of indiscipline the academic performance of Nigerian navy primary school pupils.

Thus, this study will be carried out in Nigerian navy primary school in Mobile road Apapa Lagos state.

1.7 Limitation Of The Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.8     Definition Of Terms     

Indiscipline: As it was used in the study, it simply means lack of control in the behaviour of a child or  group of pupils.

Primary School: Primary school is the fundamental formal training given to children of a prescribed age group in an institution.