Discipline Is Key

I WOULD like to emphasise the need for discipline in our schools and in other spheres of our lives.Student unrest, vandalism and crime are on the rise.

On the pages of many national newspapers and on radio and television, reports abound of increasing incidents of rape, drug abuse and other social ills. The growing incidents of apparent decay of our moral fibre should be of concern to every right-thinking citizen of this young nation.One wonders why such a situation is allowed to spread across the country and with such alarming frequency.There can be only one explanation for this situation – it is connected with discipline (or lack of it) in our society and schools.Discipline has been defined as training, especially of the mind and character, to produce self-control habits of obedience, the result of which sets rules for conduct and methods by which training may be given.From the above definition, it would appear that discipline (or lack of it) is after all a mode of behaviour.It is a manifestation of the things such as level of internalisation of culturally acceptable behaviour or an attitude of mind due to one’s perception of life.Concern for deterioration in standards of discipline easily leads to alteration of events.Now then, the million-dollar question is: What are the root causes of indiscipline in our schools and society? There are at least a dozen identifiable causes of indiscipline in our society and schools.Some of these have been diagnosed as nepotism, racism, tribalism, favouritism, bribery and corruption, victimisation, dishonesty, influence peddling, fear, timidity, reckless spending, conspicuous consumption of alcohol and drug abuse.Many administrators, law enforcement agents and students fail woefully in their appointed tasks because of one or a combination of these vices.There is no doubt that indiscipline is actively encouraged by what could be called the bottom-power in society.A potentially undisciplined student, civil servant or police officer either has a good father or an influential connection who can bribe his way through.This unfortunate mirage has become a reality in our society and schools.The phenomenon has turned many a brave man into a timid or incompetent one.In view of the above discussion, I want every reader to carefully examine and assess the situation in our country.I believe the solution to the problem of indiscipline in the society must begin in the home and the school.The home and the school must interact and co-operate in instilling discipline.Children must be made to know that they exist for the society in which they live, rather than seeing the family as an end in itself.Whatever contribution they make should be geared towards the success of the society and the entire nation.Intellectual discipline is the direct concern of the teachers, educational planners and administrators.The inculcation of the highest morals of self-discipline, integrity, the right sense of values, a sense of duty and responsibility, selflessness and the right attitude to work in people, remain the joint responsibility of both home and school.But whether the home and school have effectively discharged this all-important assignment is highly debatable.You will wonder why I have place so much emphasis on discussing discipline (or lack of it) in the home and school.The reason is obvious.Where else is the foundation of discipline (or lack of it) laid other than the home and the school? What our society needs today, more than anything else, are men and women disciplined and courageous; citizens who cannot be corrupted by the love of money; citizens who will be guided by the strength of their convictions.Steven Gurirab OranjemundThe growing incidents of apparent decay of our moral fibre should be of concern to every right-thinking citizen of this young nation.One wonders why such a situation is allowed to spread across the country and with such alarming frequency.There can be only one explanation for this situation – it is connected with discipline (or lack of it) in our society and schools.Discipline has been defined as training, especially of the mind and character, to produce self-control habits of obedience, the result of which sets rules for conduct and methods by which training may be given.From the above definition, it would appear that discipline (or lack of it) is after all a mode of behaviour.It is a manifestation of the things such as level of internalisation of culturally acceptable behaviour or an attitude of mind due to one’s perception of life.Concern for deterioration in standards of discipline easily leads to alteration of events.Now then, the million-dollar question is: What are the root causes of indiscipline in our schools and society? There are at least a dozen identifiable causes of indiscipline in our society and schools.Some of these have been diagnosed as nepotism, racism, tribalism, favouritism, bribery and corruption, victimisation, dishonesty, influence peddling, fear, timidity, reckless spending, conspicuous consumption of alcohol and drug abuse.Many administrators, law enforcement agents and students fail woefully in their appointed tasks because of one or a combination of these vices.There is no doubt that indiscipline is actively encouraged by what could be called the bottom-power in society.A potentially undisciplined student, civil servant or police officer either has a good father or an influential connection who can bribe his way through.This unfortunate mirage has become a reality in our society and schools.The phenomenon has turned many a brave man into a timid or incompetent one.In view of the above discussion, I want every reader to carefully examine and assess the situation in our country.I believe the solution to the problem of indiscipline in the society must begin in the home and the school.The home and the school must interact and co-operate in instilling discipline.Children must be made to know that they exist for the society in which they live, rather than seeing the family as an end in itself.Whatever contribution they make should be geared towards the success of the society and the entire nation.Intellectual discipline is the direct concern of the teachers, educational planners and administrators.The inculcation of the highest morals of self-discipline, integrity, the right sense of values, a sense of duty and responsibility, selflessness and the right attitude to work in people, remain the joint responsibility of both home and school.But whether the home and school have effectively discharged this all-important assignment is highly debatable.You will wonder why I have place so much emphasis on discussing discipline (or lack of it) in the home and school.The reason is obvious.Where else is the foundation of discipline (or lack of it) laid other than the home and the school? What our society needs today, more than anything else, are men and women disciplined and courageous; citizens who cannot be corrupted by the love of money; citizens who will be guided by the strength of their convictions.Steven Gurirab Oranjemund