Discipline comes from the word discipline which means follower of any teacher. It also means an early follower of Jesus especially the apostles. Discipline is a form of training that develops self-control, character, orderliness and efficiency. It can be practiced and exercise anytime and anyplace. Teacher observed discipline from the students inside the classroom and within the school campus. We expect the students to behave inside the classroom so that we could attain the objective of our lesson and for them to learn properly. We also expect them to practice discipline during school mass, flag ceremony, school programs, and other activities. Obeying the rules always keeping the cleanliness of classroom and surroundings are some ways of practicing discipline in the school.
Teachers have problems in maintaining order and discipline inside the classroom. It is one of the reasons for not attaining the objective of their lesson. Other teachers do not mind even students are not behaving properly. They keep on explaining the lesson even the students are having other business like texting, talking with their seatmates and creating unnecessary noise. There are some who are effective in keeping discipline, we can observe from their classes that students are listening attentively and cooperating in class activities.
Being a classroom teacher keeping discipline inside the classroom is also my problem. I’ve tried different strategies trying to find out what is the best that I can apply to all my students in every year level and sections I’m handling. One strategy that I have applied and proven effective is formulating agreement between the students and me. I asked them first the things they want to put in the agreement and penalties for violating the agreement. When the agreement is already is already finalized I asked them to copy in a yellow pad paper and the agreement will be signed by their adviser, parents and guidance counselor.
Another strategy is just very simple just talking to concerned students calmly and nicely. You just need to show them your love and concern. Sometime most of us teachers are very subject centered that we forgot the nature of our students. We are dealing with students who have family problems, broken families, jobless parents, poverty, etc. Sometimes students misbehave because they lack guidance of their parents. If we can at least give them a little encouragement that they can hold on in order to make them brave and strong to carry on the heavy burdens of life. Our students in the secondary level still lack maturity that we need to serve as a second parent to them. It would be very difficult to appreciate them if we will not treat them as our real children.
By: Elma R. Baciles | Teacher III | EC Bernabe Bagac National High School | Bagac, Bataan
