A classical approach to the restoration of discipline in South African schools

A classical approach to the restoration of discipline in South African schools As a result of the era of civil disobedience associated with the struggle for freedom and democracy discipline in many schools has deteriorated. The persistent lack of discipline in all South African schools can only be countered by means of a wise application of discipline. Application of “discipline ” according to the standard dictionary meanings of the word will, however, not be appropriate since it implies a clamp-down on disruptive behaviour, including punishment, chastisement and retribution. Discipline associated with the paideia ideal of well-educatedness and of the educator as the servant of his learners (paidagogos), though within the context of a reformational perspective of discipline on the other hand, will be more suitable. Opsomming ’n Klassieke benadering tot die herstel van dissipline in Suid-Afrikaanse skole Die voortslepende gebrek aan dissipline in Suid-Afrikaanse skole as gevolg van die tydperk van burgerlike ongehoorsaamheid gepaard-gaande met die stryd om demokrasie kan slegs die hoof gebied word deur middel van verstandige dissipline-toepassing. Die toepassing van “dissipline ” volgens die gewone woordeboekbetekenis van die woord is nie gepas nie, aangesien dit neerkom op die bestryding van ver-keerde gedrag by leerders. Dit sou onder meer straf en vergelding insluit. Dissipline in die nastrewing van die klassieke paideia-ideaal van volronde opgevoedheid en gebaseer op ’n siening van die op-voeder as die dienskneg van sy leerlinge (paidagogos) en wel in die konteks van ’n reformatoriese perspektief op dissipline, is meer gepas. A classical approach to the restoration of discipline in South African schools 374 Koers 68(4) 2003:373-390 1