The Discipline Deficit

There is something very important that people do not really take seriously, and that is discipline. Discipline is essential to every human being and should never be overlooked. Some people claim to be disciplined, yet their actions show otherwise. It is not what we say that truly matters, but our actions that define who we are.
These days, people engage in all sorts of activities just to survive, but the truth is that many lack the discipline to remain consistent and focused.

At work today, we discussed indiscipline among students, and it has become increasingly frequent. Many of us wondered what could be responsible for this, as the situation seems to be getting worse by the day. Students no longer take their learning seriously; they spend excessive time on their phones, and some engage in various forms of misconduct, all in the name of fashion and being “in vogue.”

The situation is even more alarming among students preparing for the WAEC, which is scheduled to begin in April. Many of them have stopped coming to school, as if they are already done with their studies. They forget that learning never ends. As some of them usually say, “There is no SS4 after SS3.” Little do they know that there is more to life than just finishing SS3. Even though many of them may not proceed to higher institutions, most of what they learn in secondary school will be an advantage to them in their future endeavours.

For instance, students who engage in handiwork will still need to prepare quotations and express themselves clearly to potential customers. Without a solid foundation in secondary school English and Mathematics, they may struggle when faced with life’s challenges later on.

Many students today focus on what does not truly matter at the moment. They prioritise making money and neglect their studies. What they fail to realise is that there is a time for everything, and whatever they do now will determine the results they get in the future. Life is about opportunity, but opportunity does not come without adequate preparation.

Most of the students refuse to listen, and many of them skip classes, believing that they will somehow be assisted during examinations. That era is gone.
Out of about 193 students in our school, only around 90 were present today, even though their final examinations are fast approaching. The principal had to address them and encourage them to be more serious, focused, and committed to what truly matters at this time. We admonished them to be diligent, avoid insolence, and take their studies seriously.

In all, students’ attitudes towards learning these days need to be checked and re-examined.