AN EXPLORATION OF PREVAILING DISCIPLINARY MEASURES USED BY ESWATINI SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN CREATING ORDER IN SCHOOLS

Abstract

The study examined prevailing disciplinary measures used by Eswatini school principals in handling discipline and creating order in schools. The critical question was: “What are the prevailing disciplinary measures used in Eswatini schools? This is a qualitative case study based on the interpretative paradigm. Sense making theory was used to ground this study. Data was generated through an online google form using an openended questionnaire. Principals from both primary and high schools in the country voluntarily participated the study by completing the form. Generated data was then analysed thematically using categories that emerged from the findings. The findings revealed that there are a variety of disciplinary measures employed by Eswatini school principals in handling learner discipline and creating order in schools ranging from verbal warning, manual work, cleaning toilets, parent communication, and loss of privileges to corporal punishment. Based on the findings we deduced that Positive Discipline (PD) is not a prevalent form of discipline used in Eswatini. School principals still employ a variety of disciplinary measures that dehumanise learners. We concluded from the findings that principals are grappling with discipline issues in schools. The study concludes that there is a need for proper in-service training and support to assist principals with acceptable disciplinary issues and the creation of order in Eswatini schools.

KEYWORDS: Disciplinary measures, Positive discipline, Learner ill-discipline, Dehumanize, Punitive actions

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