Students’ discipline as a factor that determines success in life; case study: selected secondary schools in Kamwezi sub-county in Rukiga District

Abstract

This study was meant to examine students’ discipline as a factor that determines success in life in the selected secondary schools and suggest ways to overcome the indiscipline in Kamwezi Sub County Rukiga district. The study objectives were to; identify the major discipline problems, examine the students’ perception of success in life, and examine the contribution of students’ discipline towards their success in life in selected secondary schools Kamwezi Sub-County Rukiga district. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with mixture of qualitative and quantitative research approaches. A sample size of 366 respondents was used which comprised of 324 students and 24 teachers of three selected secondary schools in Kamwezi Sub-County. Data was collected using questionnaires and the interview guide. Data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study findings showed that in general there is moderate level of students’ discipline observed with minimal variations among students (M = 2.98, SD = 0.77). The findings also showed that the mean score obtained by students in perception of success in life ranged from 2.95 to 4.18. The highest ranked perception as per the students’ responses was being successful in their career (M = 4.18). Based on the findings, it emerged that students highly perceive economic success in terms of career and having money. The economic success in turn leads to social success outcomes such as happiness and positive self-esteem. The study results established that discipline moderately contributes to their success in life (Mean = 3.30, SD = 1.19). The views of the teachers expressed through the interviews also supported the findings from the students. The study concluded that students in secondary schools in Kamwezi Sub-County Rukiga district moderately disciplined. The study also concludes that students’ understanding of success in life majorly rotates around economic gains in terms of getting better jobs and having a lot of money. The study further concludes that discipline is a vital ingredient for students’ success in life. Discipline has a moderate positive contribution to students’ success in life, and accounts for the differences in students’ success in life of secondary school students in Kamwezi Sub-County Rukiga district. The study recommends that among others tough measures should be put into place in order to minimize the occurrence of the major discipline problems in the secondary schools for children to succeed in life.