Counselling and Social Studies Strategies for Controlling Indiscipline among Students in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State

Abstract

This study explored counselling and Social Studies strategies for controlling indiscipline among
students in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna state. Three research objectives and research questions
guided the study. Descriptive survey method was employed and the population of study was seven
hundred and seventy-seven [777] junior and senior secondary school teachers and counsellors in
Zaria metropolis, out of which, a sample of two hundred sixty-four [264] was selected through the
use of purposive sampling technique. The instrument titled “Counselling and Social Studies
strategies for controlling indiscipline (CONSOS) Scale” was used for data collection. The
instrument was validated by lecturers at Ahmadu Bello University [A.B.U], Zaria, while, the
reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha and a reliability coefficient
of 0.79 was obtained. Mean and standard deviation was used to present the descriptive data. The
study found that the counselling techniques for controlling indiscipline include: assisting students
to critically examine their behaviours in line with approved behaviours in their society, assisting
students to modify their behaviours and acquire new skills through interpersonal relationships and
others, just to mention but few. On the other hand, the study found that teaching students the
accepted code of conduct in school, serving as good role models to students, organising school
debates and competitions to occupy students' time in the school, encouraging parent-community
involvement in student discipline matters, developing the value of discipline among students
through teaching and other learning activities are among the Social studies strategies for
controlling indiscipline among secondary school students in Zaria metropolis. Thus, it was
concluded that Counsellors and Social Studies/Civic Educators have an important role to play
using their professional competence, knowledge and skills in addressing the indiscipline problem
among school students in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna State. Based on the findings, it was
recommended among others that, Parents and teachers should be up-and-doing in discharging
their responsibilities as custodians of children/ students in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna state;
Teacher and school administrators should endeavour to develop means of controlling the
reoccurring types of indiscipline among students in Zaria metropolis, Kaduna state.