What are the Components of Discipline?

Some of the most important components of discipline which are used in educational institutions are as follows:

Head of the Institution:

The success or failure of any educational institution depends upon the personality of the head of that educational institution. He must possess some philosophy of discipline. He must have some well-grounded fundamental principles which guide him to his treat the teachers and students.

The Teacher:

The teacher is the fountain head of discipline and character formation. With good teachers, half the problem of school discipline disappears. Besides, his cleverness and originality, every teacher should be a good disciplinarian himself. This will depend on his keen insight, patience, sympathy, love, justice and impartiality.

Co-curricular Activities:

Sports, Scouting, N.C.C., Social Service and community activities of the type, develop in students a sense of self-control and self-confidence, which is the cornerstone of discipline. Such activities give our students practical lessons on the basis of their will. Social co-operation, respect for authority and leadership training can pave the right way of instructing them in the fundamentals of true discipline.

Building up Traditions:

It is already known to every-body that the higher and nobler the traditions built-up by a school, the greater the efforts on the part of students and teachers to maintain those traditions. Traditions are transmitted from one generation of students to the other and as such, if properly guided, students would never try to lower the noble traditions built by those who have gone before them.

Teaching Methods:

If appropriate methods of teaching are employed, the chances of students getting in-disciplined or going astray will be few and far between. Classroom methods should be directed towards producing well-adjusted and self-disciplined individuals and: as building up a high morale.

Self-Government in Schools:

In every secondary school, students should be properly associated with the administration of discipline as well as with the health, sports, dramatics and other school activities. Such an association will make them obedient to rules and regulations far more real, meaningful and willing than when the same is imposed from above.

A Good School Environment:

Every educational institution or school should prepare its calendar in the beginning of new educational session, giving a clear idea of the aims, the courses of study, administrative rules and regulations, as well as the plans of curricular and co-curricular activities of the institution,

Judicious use of Rewards and Punishments:

Meritorious and successful efforts on the part of students, must be recognized and rewarded. But rewards must not encourage unhealthy competition among students.

These should be very few and administered, in a manner that may appeal to the higher motive of students.

Effective Team-Workers:

A sense of unity, co-operation and fellow feeling, prevailing among the school staff is sure to reflect upon the pupils. The young pupils in schools watch very minutely the activities of their teachers and try to imitate them for good or bad, as the case may be. It is therefore necessary that in order to promote discipline among pupils, it must first be established and maintained among the members of school-staff.