STUDENT'S INDISCIPLINE

Students' indiscipline is one of the burning problems faced by modern India.

The problem is faced at two levels. At the narrow level there is the problem of classroom indiscipline in the form of making noises, thumping desks, throwing paper darts, imitating the sounds of birds and animals, eating peanuts and playing truant. Such misbehavior is often faced by new and inexperienced teachers. But a good teacher can deal with such misbehavior successfully with a little tact and understanding.

Such classroom misbehavior does not pose so serious a problem as the students' indiscipline in schools and colleges at wider level. It is in the form of strikes and demonstrations which sometimes turn violent and lead to stone-throwing, damaging property and violent clashes. Students, teachers and invigilators What are the causes of such serious students' unrest?

Students may have genuine grievances like lack of basic amenities, exorbitant fees, donations and capitation fees, corruption and malpractices in the examinations, want of sufficient teachers, dull and dry teaching in the form of lectures or giving of notes, high-handed attitude of teachers or heads, etc. If these genuine grievances are not redressed, students' unrest may erupt violently. The most important cause of the students' unrest is the feeling of utter frustration experienced by students on account of the great difficulty in getting jobs after studying so hard and so long. Underpaid and overworked teachers working in over-crowded classes cannot provide the necessary attention and instruction. Parents are too busy to guide or control their children. Political parties exploit the students' unrest for achieving their political ends. They first trouble the water and then fish in the troubled water. How is the burning problem to be solved? First of all, political parties must leave the students alone. Parents must exercise their moral influence. All the genuine grievances of the students must be redressed. Good teaching, smaller classes, personal attention, abolition of the present, out-dated system of examination, facilities for games and other constructive activities, job-oriented education and clean and efficient administration will go a long way towards solving the problem of indiscipline.