Abstract
A learner perspective on discipline: A qualitative analysisRecent research has indicated that learner discipline constitutes a problem in South African schools. The aim of this research was to construct a learner perspective on discipline from a reformational point of view. A further aim was to report on an empirical study about how learners judged the state of discipline in their schools from this perspective. As part of a research project on learner discipline at the Potchefstroom University for CHE, learners at Afrikaans primary schools in the North West Province took part in an essay competition. The topic of the essay was “Discipline at my school”. The essays were subjected to a content-analysis.
Learners realise the need for discipline and justify their belief in the need for discipline on practical (prerequisite for learning) and religious grounds. Most learners are of the opinion that the state of learner discipline in their schools is good. Misbehaviour that does occur is of a less serious nature (i.e. not criminal misbehaviour). Learners regard parental guiding as the most significant cause of ill-discipline at schools. A significant number of learners wrote that existing measures to maintain discipline at their schools were ineffective. Re-resorting to corporal punishment was the most commonly recommended alternative.
This article concludes with recommendations for follow-up research and improvement of education practice.
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