Abstract
M.Ed.
In the past few years many changes have prevailed in the
education system. As the new government has taken over the
educational role from the past government existing legislation
regarding education has been amended and changed. These changes
are characteristically a move away from an authoritarian style
of education toward a new democratic style of education. One of
the results is that many of the teachers appear to be
experiencing problems in the classroom disciplining the pupils.
Corporal punishment may not be used in the schools anymore. The
result is that teachers are trying to develop new methods with
which to discipline the pupils in their classes.
Currently many headmasters and teachers are experiencing a lack
of discipline in the schools and they complain about their
inability at controlling the pupils. With this in mind the
study's purpose was to observe and describe the discipline
problems in a multicultural class. Based on the results of the
research guidelines were drawn up to assist the teacher with her
discipline in the classroom.
A qualitative method which was explorative, descriptive and
contexual was used. A video camera was used to record the
classroom activity. The video material was transcribed, and
themes were identified. An independent coder analysed the
transcriptions and a consensus discussion was held between the
researcher and the independent coder. Themes which have been identified were teacher's styles, cultural
diversity, pupils' actions, parental education and language
competency. Based on these themes the guidelines were drawn up.
Three levels were identified: a macro-level, a meso-level and a
micro-level.
The resultant themes suggest that problems identified initially
as discipline problems in the schools are very often problems
revolving around cultural diversity.