Influence of community participation on management of students’ discipline in selected secondary schools

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of community participation on the management of student discipline in selected public secondary schools in Amuria District, Uganda. The purpose was to explore how community involvement in school activities contributes to promoting discipline among students. Specifically, the study aimed to (1) identify the types of indiscipline cases prevalent in public secondary schools, (2) examine the community’s perception of its role in school activities related to discipline management, and (3) establish the specific roles played by the community in maintaining student discipline. A qualitative case study design was employed, involving 20 participants purposively selected from two public secondary schools. The participants included head teachers, teachers, parents, and community leaders. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and document analysis, and were analyzed thematically using an iterative process. The findings revealed that public secondary schools in Amuria District face several indiscipline challenges, including peer influence, the abolition of corporal punishment, and limited access to guidance and counseling. The study also found that many community members hold a passive or negative perception regarding their role in school discipline management. However, where community involvement was evident, members played significant roles such as formulating school rules, offering guidance and counseling, acting as role models, and promoting moral values. The study concludes that community participation is crucial to the effective management of student discipline. It recommends that school administrators adopt a whole school approach that actively engages community stakeholders in developing and enforcing disciplinary frameworks. The study contributes to policy and practice by emphasizing the need for collaborative discipline strategies in schools. A key limitation of the study was its focus on a small sample in only two schools, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research should consider a broader sample and explore quantitative dimensions of community involvement in discipline management.