Abstract:

This paper presents a case study involving Grade 8 - 12 teachers in 14 classrooms. In all schools that were identified, one teacher from each of the schools was identified for interviewing. After the interview the teacher was used as an 'informant' to identify other teachers who could provide additional information on the issue of classroom discipline in public high schools. The South African society has undergone major educational, social and political changes in the past few years. Among the changes in the education sector has been the banning of corporal punishment in all schools. The banningof corporal punishment in schools left a gap that has not been filled. Many teachers have found themselves in the position of not knowing what to do in the absence of corporal punishment.

Reasons for the persistence of misbehaviour include lack of knowledge regarding the effective use of alternatives to corporal punishment and the use of power to establish teacher authority. The results of the study showed that teachers, who are successful in managing misbehaviour in the classrooms, maintain good relations with the learners, encourage self discipline and dignity, and involve the parents, learner peers as well as other teachers in the the learning process.

Keywords:

Discipline, teacher-learner relationship, corporal punishment, misbehaviour, teacher authority, alternatives to corporal punishment.