Until recently, discipline was critical in educational institutions. However, with the various educational reforms in Ghana, emphasizing the rights of the student and outlawing corporal punishment, acts of indiscipline have increased in the schools. The consequences of indiscipline are many; it affects academic performance, demoralises teachers, and creates an unsafe school environment. As indiscipline is a significant problem in many public schools, the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline applied in the Six Garrison Basic Schools presents a unique case, and is used as a case study in this study. The study was conducted in the Six Garrison Basic Schools at Kamina and Bawah barracks in Tamale. Respondents were drawn from the neighbouring communities from which most of the students come. The study used interviews, focus group discussions, and observations as the key data collection tools. The study found that students in these schools exhibited signs of discipline characteristic of the Ghana Armed Forces. The study found that through imitation, observation, and enforcement, students have imbibed the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline. The study found that students arrive at school on time, stay in class, and complete their assignments both in and out of class. The study further found that respect for teachers and authority is highly encouraged, and the school environment is safer for both teachers and students to engage in academic work. The study, however, found that the implementation of the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline in the Six Garrison Basic Schools was affected by institutional differences because the schools are under the Ghana Education Service, while the Armed Forces are under the Ministry of Defence. While the Ghana Armed Forces would like to apply their code of discipline in these schools fully, they are restricted by the Ghana Education Service. Despite this seeming restriction, the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline is imbued with both teachers’ and students’ values. The study recommends replicating this practice in public schools in Ghana.
| Published in | Science Frontiers (Volume 6, Issue 4) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13 |
| Page(s) | 140-148 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline, Behaviour, Observation, Imitative Modelling, Internalization
| [1] | Azmahani A. A., Yusof, K. M., and Yatim, J. M. (2012). Evaluation on the Effectiveness of Learning Outcomes from Students’ Perspectives, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 56: 22-30. |
| [2] | Barton, P. E., Cooley, R. J. and Wenglinsky, H (1998). Order in the Classroom: Violence, Discipline and Student Achievement. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service. |
| [3] | DiPrete, T. A., Muller, C. and Shaeffer, N. (1981). Discipline and Order in American High Schools. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office: National Center for Education Statistics. |
| [4] | Gaustard, J. (2005). School discipline. Devon, Willan Publishing. |
| [5] | Ghana Armed Forces (1962a). Drill Manual pamphlet 65(5); 90(5). |
| [6] | Ghana Armed Forces (1962b). Code of Service Discipline, Volume Two section 12. |
| [7] | Ghana Armed Forces (1962c). Act 12(1), Act. 15(h), 16(h), Act, 18-22., 103.03103.04. |
| [8] | Ghana Armed Forces (1962d). Ghana Armed Forces, Command and Staff Instructional and Procedures. Volume 3; part 3, section (2.05; 2.12). |
| [9] | Gibbs, J. (1975). Crime, Punishment, and Deterrence. New York: Elsevier. |
| [10] | Gibson, J. T. (2008). Psychology for the classroom. Eaglewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall. |
| [11] | Gyamera, G. O. (2005). Perceptions of students and teachers about discipline: A case study of Adisadel College, Cape Coast. Unpublished M. Phil thesis work, University Coast Ghana. |
| [12] | Kiprop, C. J. (2012). Approaches to management of discipline in secondary schools in Kenya. International Journal of Research in Management, 2(3): 120-138. |
| [13] | Madziyire, N. C. (2010). Leadership and supervision. Harare, Zimbabwe Open University. |
| [14] | Mahajan, M., and Sarjit Singh, M. S. K. (2017). Importance and Benefits of Learning Outcomes, Journal Of Humanities and Social Science, 22(3): 65-67. |
| [15] | Maphosa, C. and Mammen, J. K. (2011) Maintaining Discipline: How Do Learners View the Way Teachers Operate in South African Schools?, Journal of Social Sciences, 29(3): 213-222. |
| [16] | Mayer, M. J. and Leone, P. E. (1999). “A Structural Analysis of School Violence and Disruption: Implications for Creating Safer Schools.” Education and Treatment of Children 22: 333-56. |
| [17] | Nakpodia, E. D (2010). Teachers' disciplinary approaches to students' discipline problems in Nigerian secondary schools, International NGO Journal, 5(6): 144-151. |
| [18] | Nye, F. I. (1958). Family relationships and delinquent behavior. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. Paternoster. |
| [19] | Paul, R. M. (2009). The teacher-learner relationship in the management of discipline in Public High Schools. Africa Education Reviews, 3 (1): 148-159. |
| [20] | Pratt, T. C., Cullen, F. T., Blevins, K. R., Daigle, L. E. and Tamara D. M. (2006). “The Empirical Status of Deterrence Theory: A Meta-Analysis.” Pp. 367-95 in Taking Stock: The Status of Criminological Theory, edited by F. T Cullen, J. P Right, and K. R Blevins. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction. |
| [21] | Rollinson, D., Handley, J., Hook, C. and Foot M. (1997). The Disciplinary Experience and its Effects on Behaviour: An Exploratory Study, Work, Employment and Society, 11(2): 283-311. |
| [22] | Sah, S. (2002). Veep wages war on indiscipline. Ghanaian Times (No 13718), p. 1. |
| [23] | Security Sector Governance in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, in: Bünte. |
| [24] | Selth, Andrew (2002), Burma’s Armed Forces: Power without Glory, New York: East Bridge Stanford University Press, 413-433. |
| [25] | Stinchcomb, J. B., Brazemore, B. and Riestenberg, N. (2006). “Beyond Zero Tolerance: Restoring Justice in Secondary Schools.” Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 4: 123-47. |
| [26] | Thornberg, R. (2008) Categorisation of school rules, Educational Studies, 34: 25-33. |
| [27] | Thornberg, R. (2010). A study of children’s conceptions of school rules by investigating their judgements of transgressions in the absence of rules. Educational psychology, 30: 583-603. |
| [28] | Timothy, A. O. (2008). Principles of Educational Management. Abuja: National Open University. |
| [29] | Yizura, S. F. (2000). Improving discipline in Bolgatanga Girls’ Secondary School. Unpublished M. Phil thesis, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. |
| [30] | Zubaida, A. N. (2009). Indiscipline and its management techniques: A case study of a special education school in Kano state. The Journal of national Council for exceptional children 11(2): 455-463. |
APA Style
Akulabsi, S. J., Abubakari, A., Adua, J. Y. (2025). The Role of Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline in Shaping Conduct and Academic Outcomes in the Six Garrison Basic Schools in Tamale, Ghana. Science Frontiers, 6(4), 140-148. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13
ACS Style
Akulabsi, S. J.; Abubakari, A.; Adua, J. Y. The Role of Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline in Shaping Conduct and Academic Outcomes in the Six Garrison Basic Schools in Tamale, Ghana. Sci. Front. 2025, 6(4), 140-148. doi: 10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13
@article{10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13,
author = {Stephen Jangdow Akulabsi and Abdulai Abubakari and Justice Yaw Adua},
title = {The Role of Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline in Shaping Conduct and Academic Outcomes in the Six Garrison Basic Schools in Tamale, Ghana},
journal = {Science Frontiers},
volume = {6},
number = {4},
pages = {140-148},
doi = {10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sf.20250604.13},
abstract = {Until recently, discipline was critical in educational institutions. However, with the various educational reforms in Ghana, emphasizing the rights of the student and outlawing corporal punishment, acts of indiscipline have increased in the schools. The consequences of indiscipline are many; it affects academic performance, demoralises teachers, and creates an unsafe school environment. As indiscipline is a significant problem in many public schools, the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline applied in the Six Garrison Basic Schools presents a unique case, and is used as a case study in this study. The study was conducted in the Six Garrison Basic Schools at Kamina and Bawah barracks in Tamale. Respondents were drawn from the neighbouring communities from which most of the students come. The study used interviews, focus group discussions, and observations as the key data collection tools. The study found that students in these schools exhibited signs of discipline characteristic of the Ghana Armed Forces. The study found that through imitation, observation, and enforcement, students have imbibed the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline. The study found that students arrive at school on time, stay in class, and complete their assignments both in and out of class. The study further found that respect for teachers and authority is highly encouraged, and the school environment is safer for both teachers and students to engage in academic work. The study, however, found that the implementation of the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline in the Six Garrison Basic Schools was affected by institutional differences because the schools are under the Ghana Education Service, while the Armed Forces are under the Ministry of Defence. While the Ghana Armed Forces would like to apply their code of discipline in these schools fully, they are restricted by the Ghana Education Service. Despite this seeming restriction, the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline is imbued with both teachers’ and students’ values. The study recommends replicating this practice in public schools in Ghana.},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - The Role of Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline in Shaping Conduct and Academic Outcomes in the Six Garrison Basic Schools in Tamale, Ghana AU - Stephen Jangdow Akulabsi AU - Abdulai Abubakari AU - Justice Yaw Adua Y1 - 2025/12/09 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13 DO - 10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13 T2 - Science Frontiers JF - Science Frontiers JO - Science Frontiers SP - 140 EP - 148 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2994-7030 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sf.20250604.13 AB - Until recently, discipline was critical in educational institutions. However, with the various educational reforms in Ghana, emphasizing the rights of the student and outlawing corporal punishment, acts of indiscipline have increased in the schools. The consequences of indiscipline are many; it affects academic performance, demoralises teachers, and creates an unsafe school environment. As indiscipline is a significant problem in many public schools, the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline applied in the Six Garrison Basic Schools presents a unique case, and is used as a case study in this study. The study was conducted in the Six Garrison Basic Schools at Kamina and Bawah barracks in Tamale. Respondents were drawn from the neighbouring communities from which most of the students come. The study used interviews, focus group discussions, and observations as the key data collection tools. The study found that students in these schools exhibited signs of discipline characteristic of the Ghana Armed Forces. The study found that through imitation, observation, and enforcement, students have imbibed the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline. The study found that students arrive at school on time, stay in class, and complete their assignments both in and out of class. The study further found that respect for teachers and authority is highly encouraged, and the school environment is safer for both teachers and students to engage in academic work. The study, however, found that the implementation of the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline in the Six Garrison Basic Schools was affected by institutional differences because the schools are under the Ghana Education Service, while the Armed Forces are under the Ministry of Defence. While the Ghana Armed Forces would like to apply their code of discipline in these schools fully, they are restricted by the Ghana Education Service. Despite this seeming restriction, the Ghana Armed Forces Code of Discipline is imbued with both teachers’ and students’ values. The study recommends replicating this practice in public schools in Ghana. VL - 6 IS - 4 ER -