The Ministry of Education has called for concerted efforts in bringing students’ indiscipline in the country’s schools to an end.
Apparently, students’ indiscipline has now become a norm in both public and public schools.
Speaking during the 2024 International Day of Education Commemoration at Mkwichi Secondary School in Lilongwe, Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola Mdooko, said there is a need to establish a positive school environment that encourages self-discipline and pre-emptively addresses discipline-related challenges.
She underscored the proactive role that a positive school and classroom climate can play in averting indiscipline issues by elevating the quality of classroom activities.
“We need as a ministry to inculcate discipline in all our schools. Discipline is a shared responsibility between us parents and the schools. What is needed is awareness in all our schools to create a positive school environment that empowers students to embrace self-discipline,” said Mdooko.
The Deputy Minister also emphasized the significance of employing positive discipline approaches to guide students in comprehending their mistakes and evolving into better learners.
The Deputy Minister stressed that a positive disciplinary approach redirects the focus from punishment to the restoration of relationships and a renewed commitment to constructing a safe and supportive environment.
“The purpose of discipline should transcend punishment; it should encompass teaching civility, interpersonal skills, and reconnecting with alienated children. Positive discipline plays a pivotal role in creating a secure school environment, establishing conducive conditions for effective teaching by educators, and fostering an optimal learning atmosphere for students,” she explained.
Mdooko also urged schools to abstain from resorting to punitive disciplinary measures, citing research that indicates such approaches do not enhance students’ behavior or academic achievement.
She highlighted the adverse consequences of suspensions, with students facing a significantly higher likelihood of dropping out and becoming entangled in the juvenile justice system.
In her speech, Chairperson for Development partners in the education sector, Allian Zonolin voiced concern over persistent cases of student indiscipline in the country.
Zonolin underscored the collective responsibility of stakeholders in the education sector to collaborate in eradicating violence in schools.
“Education is a powerful tool to shape the mind, bring enlightenment, and solve problems; therefore, we must guard against anything that might impede learners from accessing it, including violence in schools,” she added.
Representing Parents-Teacher Associations (PTAs) nationwide, Israel Kaunda, PTA Chairperson for Mkwichi Primary School, called for all PTAs to be functional and contribute to preventing tension between teachers, learners, and parents by ensuring each party plays its role in creating violence-free educational institutions.
He encouraged learners to be submissive to their teachers, teachers to act as role models to learners, and parents to actively shape the behavior of their children.
The commemoration, which brought together students from various schools within Lilongwe, was spiced up by various activities including songs, poems, dramas, and stage performance by actors who starred in the famous local movie ‘School Days’ namely Phwedo and Mphatso.
The International Day of Education, observed annually on January 30th, revolved around the theme “Learning for Lasting Peace” this year.
