Abstract:

The aim of the present study was to identify student misbehaviours in private high schools, and the reasons for and teachers’ reactions to such behaviours. The study was designed as qualitative research. In this qualitative case study, the participants were 21 teachers working in two different branches of a private school and 188 students registered in those schools. The data were collected utilizing two semi-structured interview schedules consisting of three questions each which were directed to students and teachers. The data were analysed using content analysis technique. Student misbehaviours included; noise, student-sourced misbehaviours, misbehaviours aimed at peers and misbehaviours aimed at teachers. The reasons for student misbehaviours were determined and classified as; student-sourced, family-sourced, peer-sourced, teacher-sourced, and education system and school-centred reasons. Teachers’ reactions towards misbehaviours included; warning, shouting, scolding, having one-on-one or whole class conversations with students, explaining the consequences if the same behaviour is repeated, referring students to school administrators or the counselling service, and informing families. Ensuring that teachers understand the reasons for and how to react to student misbehaviours can make significant contributions to their main duty in classrooms which is “realizing learning objectives”. As such, the present study informs teachers about the reasons for student misbehaviour as well as their solutions.

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