SCHOOL ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE AND STUDENTS' DISCIPLINE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CALABAR MUNICIPALITY, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: Students' discipline remains a critical concern in many public secondary schools in Nigeria, as increasing cases of truancy, disobedience, bullying, examination malpractice, and other forms of misconduct continue to undermine effective teaching and learning. Although several factors have been associated with students' behavioural outcomes, the role of school organisational culture has attracted growing attention because of its influence on students' attitudes and compliance with school expectations. This study examined the relationship between school organisational culture and students' discipline in public secondary schools in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, with particular emphasis on school rules enforcement practices, communication patterns within the school, and reward systems. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised teachers and Senior Secondary School I and II students in public secondary schools within the study area, from which a sample of 422 respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data was collected using the School Organisational Culture and Students' Discipline Questionnaire (SOCSDQ). The instrument was validated by experts, while its reliability coefficients, established using Cronbach's Alpha, ranged from 0.79 to 0.87. Data was analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed significant positive relationships between school rules enforcement practices, communication patterns, reward systems, and students' discipline. The study concluded that a supportive organisational culture plays a vital role in promoting acceptable student behaviour and creating an environment that enhances teaching and learning. It is recommended that school administrators should strengthen fair enforcement of school rules, improve communication with students, and establish consistent reward systems that recognise positive behaviour. Keywords: School organisational culture, students' discipline, school rules enforcement, communication pattern, reward system, public secondary schools.