Educator I is a 43 year-old African man and is married with two children He has a
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.4 Implications for Further Studies
It is apparent that the study has successfully achieved its aims and objectives of investigating whether indiscipline in schools affects learner performance. A sample study was taken using five schools in the township of KwaNobuhle. As mentioned in the study, indiscipline is not the only factor for the poor performance of learners; there are a number of other related factors, which are beyond the scope of this study, which warrant additional research in this regard such as:
How socio-economic situations affect learner performance?
To what extent does the illiteracy of parents affect learner performance?
Does the shortage of fundamental resources like libraries, text books, laboratories and extra-mural activities contribute to the poor performance of learners?
Whether there are learners in similar situations like the schools mentioned in the study that, despite being in a similar situation and environment, succeed?
5.5 Conclusion
According to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, ‘Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and education is a very important weapon to prepare them for their future roles as leaders of the community’ (Nelson Mandela 2011:89).
This study, in essence, was about education. It is the education of our children that we are concerned about. Not only are we concerned about their education per se but, as
Malcolm X said, their future. In addition to this, we are also apprehensive about the future of our homes, the future of schools, the future of our country and the future of our Universe.
As mentioned many times above, the researcher is very obsessive about the education and the future of our children. As the Japanese motto says, ‘We have inherited this world from our parents; we have borrowed it from our children’. It is of cardinal importance for every citizen of the country and particularly adults to have a vested interest in the future of our children. The children, generally speaking, are the ones who will live longer than adults. For them to inherit this earth from us, maintain it and better it, they have to be appropriately prepared for it. Education is one of the instruments and ways of preparing them. Not only should they have education but they ought to have ‘good and quality education’. There is a saying also quoted in the study, either by respondents or in the Literature Review, that says ‘A country with no good or quality education has no future’.
That is why the researcher, when he observed pervasive indiscipline in our schools, he was anxious because it is his belief that indiscipline will never produce good or quality education, but chaos and disaster. That is why it is crucial that all stakeholders in education, including communities, should work together to nip the indiscipline in schools in the bud. I repeat, sooner rather than later.
In this study, the researcher tried his best to draw attention to the thorny issue of indiscipline in our schools, at the same time making a call and saying, ‘Let us re- produce the likes of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Franklin Sonn, Govan and Thabo Mbeki, Eskia Mphahlele, Mamphela Ramphele, Andre Brink, Naledi Pandor, Derrick Swartz, Pierre Voges, Desmond Tutu, etc.’.
We can only realise this when our children, learners, educators and students are not only educated but also equally disciplined. Education without discipline is null and void. All those individuals mentioned above as examples have this in common: they are academically and culturally educated, respectful, dignified, morally sound and disciplined, in the highest and truest sense of the word. It is the researcher’s hope and
prayer that this study will not be one of those just read documents, put aside to gather dust and be forgotten, but will be heeded, taken note of, comprehended and strong appropriate corresponding action be taken seriously.
In final conclusion, I was intrigued and fascinated by the following quotations:
‘Healthy discipline is a cornerstone for all true educational work and effective teaching. Without discipline there can be no education and teaching.
‘A teacher has the authority to issue commands in the school and maintain discipline, but not in a dictatorial way. A child must be punished and disciplined firmly, but in a sympathetic, loving, friendly and patient manner’ (Buchel 1992:264).
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APPENDIX 1