LEARNERS’ INDISCIPLINE: CONSTRUCTING MODEL OF SOCIAL CONTROL AMONG PRINCIPALS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
LEARNERS’ INDISCIPLINE: CONSTRUCTING MODEL OF SOCIAL CONTROL AMONG PRINCIPALS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Summary/Abstract: This study was conducted in Johannesburg secondary schools and focused on misconducts of students and management approach mitigating misconducts. This study is an extension of ongoing literature covering school discipline and enforcement moral conduct. The problem of learner’s misconducts has assumed panic mode globally and there is now scholarly attention to mitigate the phenomenon. The study is hinged on Skinner’s Operant Condition also known as Reinforcement Theory. Survey qualitative design was used and five schools in Johannesburg district of Central Gauteng were purposively selected using Principals as contact sample. Data were collected and analyzed qualitatively using in-depth interviews and thematic content analysis. Thematic Constructs were classified. On incidents of misconducts, it was evident that Johannesburg schools were deeply affected by learners' misconducts, occurrence was uniformed in the five schools and offenders were both male and females. Misconducts were perpetrated as collective sub group or gangs which strongly reinforced intention among offenders. Construct of management or principal’s approach showed that the schools had structured discipline system which endured as preventive or punitive method. Despite the rigid structure, learner’s misconducts were rampant and defiled management approach in Johannesburg schools. Principals attested to surging incidents of misconducts despite instrument of check and balance. Misconducts of learners in Johannesburg schools were mainly drug ingestions, violence, vandalism, absenteeism and bullying. School Offenders perpetrated misconducts when they operated as cluster group or gangs. Although cases of lone offenders were reported in the schools, sub group offenders were more severe and engaged brutal offending behaviors. There was consensus showing that learners’ misconducts were rampant and brutal when it occurred as sub group offenders. Members of sub groups also gained status identity as hard guy, bad boy and scorpion. This is a dangerous trend in Johannesburg schools like similar case in global society. The study recommended that severe shaming and stigmatization method which extend label beyond school environment should be adopted to block opportunities for misconducts in Johannesburg schools as may be the case for others.

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