For any learning institution, discipline is key when it comes to learners’ achievement; in school and even outside the school environment. Discipline implies a working, strict adherence to legislation and guidelines and to cultural standards and values. Alpha Arsene Marara, an ICT specialist at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK, says discipline elements of each achievement must be adopted by students to make them continuously productive. How it impacts learning Marara says one of the basic benefits of being disciplined for students is living in harmony with people in their community. He says a student who is well mannered can thrive in different areas, not just academics. For instance, he says, one can learn to apportion time to various activities, including studies, play and even rest. Besides, when a student is well disciplined, it helps eliminate stress from their lives. Marara explains that this is one of the most prominent impacts that discipline has on the learning process. “It is important for every student to have a set routine to avoid last-minute hassle. Discipline helps in maintaining and following the daily routine properly, without being followed up by an adult,” he says Diana Nawatti, the head teacher at Mother Mary Complex School, Kigali, says a well-mannered student is guaranteed better grades. She notes that this is the ultimate goal of every student’s life, and it is very important for every student to be disciplined at all times. By being disciplined, she says a student will be able to spend more time studying. And the more time they spend studying, the better their performance in all areas. Besides, she notes that students’ character is moulded when they are well behaved. “A positive attitude towards studies and life, in general, is the inherent benefit derived from being disciplined,” she notes. Isaac Ddumba, an English teacher at La Colombiere School in Kigali, notes that discipline enhances and encourages students’ motivation as far as studies are concerned. He says staying disciplined will keep their motivation higher and most importantly, help them get the best out of education. Meanwhile, Ddumba says a student who is well disciplined sets a good example for others to follow, whether at home or school. “Disciplined students serve as role models for their classmates. This, I believe helps other students to admire them, thus strive to have or maintain the same discipline as their peers,” he says. In school life, he says discipline is very important for any student. He further points out that one can’t be well educated without discipline. And that without it, it can cost students later in their careers. “I think implementations of discipline in students’ minds help them to achieve their goals and dreams later in life. However, it shouldn’t be a teacher’s role only when it comes to instilling good morals in learners, parents too should play a part in it,” he advises. What needs to be done? In school life, Sylvester Twizerimana, a psychologist based in Rubavu District, says that students have a ‘tender’ mind that does not know what is right or wrong; therefore, helping in nurturing their younger mind is important. He says they need constant guidance and supervision from their teachers and parents, to prevent cases of them being involved in risky behaviour. The role of schools, he says, is to guide or redirect the students, in school, in the right direction, so that they grow up to become socially and morally educated. “This is where discipline comes in, educators can as well help learners absorb different things right from a tender age, so that they grow up knowing what is best for them,” Twizerimana says. On the other hand, he says schools should be able to work hand-in-hand with parents, so that in case of any problem as far as discipline is concerned, it is easy to handle the issue. This, according to Twizerimana, prevents cases of parents being left out when it comes to disciplining their children. However, he notes that there should be clear approaches to how students should be disciplined, and any form of corporal punishment should be avoided. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
