DO WE NEED DISCIPLINE?

Do We Need Democracy? “The most effective way to restrict democracy is to transfer decision-making from the public arena to unaccountable institutions: kings and princes, priestly castes, military juntas, party dictatorships, or modern corporations.” says Noam Chomsky. In Turkey’s educational system, discipline is generally seen as vital which must be and can only be applied by teachers and school government. Yes! Discipline is really vital but cannot be applied exteriorly if it is not agreed by students. What must be done is to explicate the concept of discipline as an inner power which is necessary to improve strength, self control and socialization. Therefore, if we need democracy we should not transfer decision-making, establishment of discipline rules to institutions like school governments or teachers.

“Be kind to others” and “Do our best work”

In a school, second graders decided they needed only these two rules in order to do their work well (Eight Models of Discipline: The Glasser Model, p.120). Great! All we need is just two rules. Then we can construct a classroom with a positive discipline atmosphere. There may be other rules of course; but the important thing is, there should be fewer rules and and these rules should not be so specific; rather they should be for more general cases –like in democratic constitutions. Also, students will not forget easily when there are only two rules they should obey.

When Rules Are Broken

Of course, it would be folly to expect students to obey the rules every time. Moreover, some people think that ‘Rules are set up for to be broken!’. First of all, participation of students in this decision making process is very important. But before setting up the rules with students, a discussion of the necessity and importance of rules should be held. And if still the rules are broken what should be done, has to do nothing with punishment. According to Dreikurs, punishment teaches what not to do, but fails to teach what to do (Eight Models of Discipline: The Dreikurs Model, p. 63). So when setting up rules with students, the consequences should also be established. And applying these consequences, students shall know that they make their own choices about how they behave.