The effects of the abolition of corporal punishment on learner academic performance in selected public schools in the Vhembe District
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Date
2020
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Learner misconduct is one of the major issues that affect learner academic
performance. Before the dawn of democracy in South Africa, the learners’ discipline
in class was largely controlled through corporal punishment and discrimination,
particularly in the “Bantu Schools”. This, however, is not the case in the democratic
South Africa. The democratic dispensation enshrines human rights, equality and
freedom for learners. The aim of the study was to find out how the abolition of
corporal punishment has affected the learner performance in the Vhembe District’s
public schools. The study is positioned in the pragmatism paradigm. The mixed
methods approach was used to investigate the effects of the abolition of corporal
punishment on learner academic performance in selected public schools in the
Vhembe District. Simple random and purposive sampling procedures were used to
select a sample for this study. Data was obtained through questionnaires and face
to-face interviews. The findings were analysed in order to address and help improve
the discipline and conduct problems in secondary schools. An improved discipline
system based on a positive and responsible learning approach is recommended.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department Social Science Education in the Faculty of Education, University of Zululand, 2020.
Keywords
Corporal punishment, Learner performance, Discipline