ROLE OF COUNSELLING IN ADDRESSING INDISCIPLINE AMONG MARIST SECONDARY STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

Discipline is a highly cherished practice specially in schools. Many schools authorities strive
to put in place some measures to enhance discipline in schools. However, sometimes the
measures are not effective in enhancing discipline. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to
examine the role of counselling on indiscipline among students in Marist secondary schools in
Nigeria. The study examined the prevalence of indiscipline and determined the influence of
counselling on indiscipline among students in Marist secondary schools in Nigeria. The
research used Banduras social cognitive learning theory and used a mixed methods research
approach and adopted the embedded mixed method research design. The target population
was 280 from where a sample of 169 respondents was enlisted through simple random
sampling and purposive techniques. However, only 134 respondents were able to participate.
The researcher collected data from the respondents using questionnaire for quantitative data
and interview guide for qualitative data. The data collected was analysed in relation to the
purpose of the study. For the quantitative data, the researcher used frequency tables and
percentages. The qualitative data was presented using themes. The findings established that
bullying, lateness, stealing and disrespecting teachers were the most prevalent indiscipline
behaviours exhibited by students while counselling was used to address indiscipline in the
schools. The study recommended that school authorities should strengthen the role of
counselling in schools.