CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Events surrounding our present day educational system with particular reference to the secondary schools indicate a lot of disciplinary problems like truancy, stealing, examination malpractice, sexual immorality, and drug abuse and so on are facing secondary school education in Nigeria with particular reference to the study area. To fully understand the concept of indiscipline, it is expedient to look at the meaning of discipline.

Discipline according to Idoko (2005) is defined as readiness or ability to learn to respect authority and observe conventional or established laws of an organization or society. Idoko went further to define the opposite “indiscipline” which is the researcher’s concern in this study as the absence of discipline; it is the lack of self-control, absence of spirit of commitment and dedication.

The word indiscipline is an opposite word for discipline. If discipline is a conscious effort made by an individual to comply with societal rules and regulations, indiscipline is a deliberate calculation made by an individual, persons to disrespect societal rules and regulations. Indiscipline is a societal evil that has found its way into our society with the educational sector not counted out with particular reference to secondary school which is the focus of this study.

In Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, students are found to exhibit nonchalant attitudes like lateness and truancy. Idoko (2005) stated that, some students go to school by 9:00am and close by 11:00am and sometimes move aimlessly on our streets and when examination approaches such students will like to pass at all cost and therefore device machineries that enhance their passing examination. Lawlessness and disrespect for constituted authorities have become the order of the day. Most young girls and boys in these secondary schools have resorted in indiscriminate sexual activities as well as wrong use of drug known as drug abuse. Looking at the situation above, the study assumes that these may have a telling impact on the influence of indiscipline on the academic performance of secondary school students in Jos North local government area of Plateau state in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Adesina cited by Orhungur (2003), views indiscipline as lack of readiness or inability to respect authority and observe conventional or established law of the society or any organization. Throwing more light on the concept of indiscipline.

Orhungur, (2003:35) refers to indiscipline, “as the manifestation of behaviours that are contrary to school rules and regulations. According to him, cases of students’ indiscipline range from disregard for school regulations, disrespect of school authority, poor habits of the students to collective misbehaviour. Acts of undesirable attributes committed by students often include the following: truancy, absenteeism, lateness, disobedience, apathy and stubbornness, alcoholism, sexual immorality or sex offences, improper dressing etc.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Discipline is the watch word of every secondary school (private and public) in Nigeria. Over the years the problem faced by the management of most secondary schools in Nigeria is the problem of indiscipline; take the secondary schools in Jos North local government area of plateau state, the level of indiscipline is high ranging from drinking, smoking, truancy, stubbornness, alcoholism, sexual immorality or sex offences, improper dressing etc. Most of the student misses classes during examination because they are not prepared. Others may be as a result of expulsion and family background and environment. It is to this regard that the researcher desires to carry out a study on the influence of indiscipline on the academic performance of secondary school students in Jos North local government area of plateau state.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine the influence of indiscipline on the academic performance of secondary school students in Jos north local government area of plateau state. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. to determine the causes of indiscipline in secondary schools in Jos north local government area of Plateau state
2. to determine the relationship between indiscipline and the academic performance of secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateau State
3. to determine the effect of teachers’ experience in the management of indiscipline in secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateau State
4. to examine whether family background has a role to play in the level of indiscipline among secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateaus State
5. to proffer solution to the above stated problem

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:

1. What are the causes of indiscipline in secondary schools in Jos north local government area of Plateau state?
2. What is the relationship between indiscipline and the academic performance of secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateau State?
3. What is the effect of teachers’ experience in the management of indiscipline in secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateau State?
4. Does family background play a role in the level of indiscipline among secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateaus State

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant the relationship between indiscipline and the academic performance of secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateau State

H1: there is significant the relationship between indiscipline and the academic performance of secondary school students in Jos north local government area of Plateau State

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on the influence of indiscipline on the academic performance of secondary school students will be of immense benefit to the entire secondary schools in Jos north local government area of plateau state and other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic as the findings of the study will educate the above population on the causes of indiscipline in secondary schools, the relationship between indiscipline and the academic performance of secondary school students and the effect of teachers’ experience in the management of indiscipline in secondary school students. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge in this field of study and provide a basis for further research

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on the influence of indiscipline on the academic performance of secondary school students is limited to secondary schools in Jos north local government area of Plateau state. The study will cover on the causes of indiscipline in secondary schools, the relationship between indiscipline and the academic performance of secondary school students and the effect of teachers’ experience in the management of indiscipline in secondary school students

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Youths: This is the state or time of being young.

Students: A person who is studying at a college or university

Discipline: Training especially of the mind and character, set of rules for conduct method by which training may be given.

Indiscipline: Lack of control in the behaviour of a group of people,. The report identifies the causes of violence and indiscipline in schools.

Juvenile delinquency: A term applied to the criminal behaviour of those who are youthful age, under sixteen