The Perception of Teachers and Students : Towards Punishment As A Disciplinary Tool During Classroom Instruction

The main aim of the study was to find out whether punishment promotes discipline during classroom teaching and learning in the Sunyani Metropolis in the Brong Ahafo Region, of Ghana. The instrument used to collect data was questionnaire. A simple random sampling (Lottery method) was used to select respondents (teachers and students). Forty (40) teachers from four (4) public J.S.S. schools in Sunyani Metropolis and one hundred and sixty (160) students were also chosen from four public J.S.S. The study revealed that punishment at times reduced misbehavior in the classroom during teaching and learning but not always. The study found out that punishment must be used judiciously if not it will deter children form coming to school. As a result, it can increase the school dropouts.