THE ROLE OF PUNISHMENT IN ENSURING DISCIPLINE AND ORDER IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL WEST EDUCATION DIVISION IN MALAWI

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore if punishments administered in the selected secondary schools in CWED achieve their purpose of addressing discipline and order in the schools. The study utilized the qualitative approach with phenomenological as the main strategy which emphasizes on collecting data from the concerned individuals themselves. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, document reviews and a questionnaire which was administered to pupils. The study had a sample of 112 pupils, eight teachers and two deputy head teachers. The results indicated that commonly used punishments are the internal corrective measures, especially manual work and rustication. The results also indicate that forms of punishments which require pupils to go home or those which require calling of parents such as rustication and suspension have more impact on the behaviour of punished pupils as well as on the school community. On the other hand, despite manual work being frequently used punishment in the schools it was indicated that it has little impact on the behaviour of both the punished pupils and the school community. In addition, the study found that for the punishments to be more effective there is need to involve parents in the punishment decisions.