Perceived Influence Of Indiscipline On Students’ Academic Performance In Public Secondary Schools In Ikwuano Local Government Of Abia State

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the perceive influence of indiscipline on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Stratified proportionate random sampling techniques was used to determine the sample size. The study collected primary data using a well-structured questionnaire known as “Influence of Indiscipline on Students Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools Questionnaire (IISAPPSSQ)”, which was issued to three hundred and forty-five (345) respondents, consisting of fifty (50) teachers and two hundred and ninety-five students. However, a total of three hundred and twenty questionnaires were retrieved from the respondents. The duly completed and retrieved questionnaires comprises of forty-five (45) teachers and two hundred and seventy-five (275) students. Descriptive statistics measures such as mean and standard deviation values were used to assess the responds of the respondents regarding the research questions. Independent samples t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The study revealed that bullying by the students, students stealing others students’ belongings, acts of disobedience, truancy, acts of lawlessness and examination malpractices are the major acts of indiscipline in public secondary school in Ikwuano Local Government Area. Secondly, the study indicated that the acts of indiscipline are occasioned by nonchalant attitude of teachers towards students’ indiscipline, anti-social behaviours of the students, unsatisfied desires of the students, indiscriminate punishment of student by teachers and senior students, peer group pressure, inadequate motivation for disciplined actions, and poor moral family up-bringing of students. The Inferential statistics revealed that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of teachers and students on the type of students’ indiscipline in public secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area. Lastly, there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of teachers and students on the effects of indiscipline on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Ikwuano L.G.A. The study recommended among other things that the Government through the Ministry of Education should enforce policies in schools to identify, apprehend and apply appropriate punishment on students discovered to be involved in stealing in schools. Moreover, government at all levels, parents, teachers, students and stakeholders should work towards the total eradication of examination malpractice to restore discipline and enhance dignity and integrity of education system.