University policies and students’ discipline: A case of the College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University

Abstract

The research study focused on the relationship between university policies and students’ discipline in the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University. The study was guided by three study objectives: (i) To examine the relationship between fees police and students’ discipline (ii) To establish the relationship between examination policy and students’ discipline (iii) To find out the relationship between students’ accommodation policy and students’ discipline. The study adopted mostly a survey research design with some aspects of qualitative research approach. The sample comprised of 186 undergraduate students from the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University Main Campus. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using relative frequencies and descriptive statistics especially the means and range. Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to relate students’ discipline with fees policy, examination policy and accommodation policy respectively. The findings revealed that there was no significant relationship between fees policy and students’ discipline at Makerere University while examination policy was positively related to students’ discipline and accommodation policy was also positively related to students’ discipline at Makerere University. This study concluded that both fees policy and accommodation policy were insignificantly related to students’ discipline while examination policy significantly related to students’ discipline. The recommendations were that; Makerere University should not attach much emphasis on fees policy as a strategy to maintain discipline. This is drawn from the insignificant relationship between fees policy and students’ discipline. Makerere University should do more towards strengthening the existing examination policy and practices in positioning itself to address students discipline issues. This arises from the fact that the current examination policy is significantly positively related to discipline. Makerere University should not put emphasis on accommodation policy as the relationship between accommodation policy and discipline is insignificant.