ABSTRACT This research study attempted to identify ways in which behavioural problems manifest themselves among head teachers in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. It also attempted to find the causes and management or control such indiscipline behaviours and made recommendations for their management. The necessary data for the research study were collected through the use of a questionnaire. One hundred teachers were randomly selected for the study. Chi-square statistical procedure was used to analyse the data. The result showed that the teachers surveyed shared the same view with regards to age, sex and home background as responsible for behavioural problems. Respondents also shared the same opinion with regard to the various ways or methods that can be used to control or manage indiscipline, and behaviours in primary schools. On the basis of the findings, recommendations were made that guidance and counselling services should be organized, seminars and conferences to emphasise more indiscipline behaviours in the schools.

1. A Survey Of Causes And Management Of Teacher’s Behaviour Problems Among Headteachers
Cases of violence and behavioural problems in primary schools in Nigeria have attracted much
concern from the government, institutional functionaries and academic fellows in recent years.
Despite the implementation of the many suggested solutions given by researchers, these
problems are still on the increase in our primary schools.
This study is an attempt to find out some of these behavioural problems and their causes. It has
been suggested by parents and educational administrators that the school today is a less
disciplined community than in the olden days. The impression which has been created is that the
teachers today commit more offences than their counterparts did in past years.
The number, variety and magnitude of school offences frequently reported in the country's news
media are such that are very serious enough to cause some concern for people who are involved
in the school administration. The question is whether the present deterioration in the standard of
behaviour of teachers if not checked will lead society and the future generation to disaster.
In the words of Professor Aminu Jubril (1988), behaviour can be described as any action
resulting from the expression of a particular trait. Behaviour can describe any action and it is
most often used in the context of altering the propensity for action e.g. an aggressive trait can
lead to aggressive behaviour.
Also, the behaviour could simply refer to the actions or reactions of an object or organism,
usually in relation to the environment. Behaviour can be conscious or unconscious, overt or
covert and voluntary or involuntary. During the launching of the War Against Indiscipline
behaviour at Cocoa Board Ibadan, (1984) Chief J.A. Akinsipe the Company’s General Manager
listed the following as acts of indiscipline behaviour: lateness, use of office hours for private
business, malingering delay in taking actions, taking actions out of malice, wasting the smallest
material in the office, dereliction of duty, pleading sectional prejudice in order to avoid
disciplinary action, covering staff who indulge in acts of indiscipline because of family, social
other connections (Daily Sketch Tuesday, October 16th 1984).
Obadanjo (1987) while presenting an introductory paper on principals’ conference workshop on
school behaviour referred to examination leakage, fraud and unscrupulousness on the part of
teachers as acts of indiscipline. In addition to the General’s list, the headmaster listed the
following offences among the common ones committed by teachers which include leaving the
school compound without permission, unpunctuality, insubordination strikes e.t.c.
Since then there had been a series of workshops and conferences and government actions to fight
against this cankerworm eating deep into the nation. In 1988, the out stated Second Republic
Government recognized the gravity of behavioural problems in schools among teachers
throughout the whole country that a whole ministry was made to take charge of the responsibility
of solving these great problems of the nation.
Also, the Daily Sketch of November 19th, 1985 published the comment of the Minister of
Education Professor Aminu Jubril about behaviour in our school’s system. He said among other

2. things that there was an urgent need to ensure that teachers are groomed to be disciplined
citizens. In most Nigeria Educational institutions particularly primary schools where teachers are
adults, behavioural problems are so rampant; that education has been promoted to seek ways of
controlling them or eliminating them entirely. Educators should not, therefore wait for such a
time when these problems will multiply but act before behavioural problems get out of hand.
In order to correct the situation in our schools, our educational system must be well designed so
as to instil in our teachers the need to be behavioural conscious, to restrain from evil things to
have respect for schools authorities. Any society, which is not disciplined, cannot progress, so
also a school that lacks discipline is bound to fail. This is because discipline helps to create
orderliness which in turn gives room for effective teaching and learning.
Statement of the Problem
There have been cases of unrest in the primary institutions in Nigeria, especially after the
independence. The trend continues to escalate annually. This study is to investigate the causes of
behavioural problems in some selected schools in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of
Kwara State.
In fact, school administrators have tried to eradicate these problems but with little or no success.
And the objective of education cannot be achieved in an indiscipline atmosphere. It is pertinent
that behaviour is essentially ensured for effective learning.
This study therefore aimed at investigating the causes of behavioural problems and ways of
managing the behaviour.
Purpose of the Study
This study sought to ascertain the various ways in which behavioural problems manifest
themselves among primary school teachers. Thus the study aims to:
(i)
Examine the causes of behavioural problems in selected primary schools in Ilorin West Local
Government Area of Kwara State.
(ii)
Recommend some ways in which these problems can be completely eradicated so as to pave way
for the smooth running of schools and to achieve high academic performance as well.
(iii)
It is equally important to mention that the identification of such problems in primary school and
the suggestions for their possible eradication may assist the schools to give urgent and quick
solutions to such problems when they occur.

3. (iv)
Providing adequate solutions to such problems, if and when they exist will enhance effective
teaching and learning in school which will make the teachers use for themselves and the society
at large.
General Questions
1.
What is the Headmaster factor influences teachers' willingness to exhibit behavioural problems
in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area?
2.
Do parental factors influence teachers’ willingness to exhibit behavioural problems in primary
schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area?
3.
What are the Headmasters’ arrestive measures to manage teacher behavioural problems?
4.
What are the roles of Headmasters in managing teachers’ behaviours problem in primary schools
in the Oyun Local Government Area?
5.
What are the Headmasters’ settlement/resolution measures to manage teachers’ behavioural
problems?
ResearchQuestions
The following research questions: guided the study: -
1. Is there any significant relationship between the Headmaster factor influencing teachers'
willingness to exhibit behavioural problems in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government
Area?
2. Is there any significant relationship between parental factors influencing teachers’ willingness
to exhibit behavioural problems in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area?
3. Is there any significant relationship between government factors influencing teachers’
willingness to exhibit behavioural problems in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government
Area?

4. 4. Is there any significant relationship between the roles of Headmasters in managing teachers’
behaviours problem in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area?
5. Is there any significant relationship between Headmasters’ arrestive measures to manage
teacher behavioural problems?
6. Is there any significant relationship between Headmasters’ settlement/resolution measures to
manage teachers’ behavioural problems?
ResearchHypotheses
For the purpose of this study, the following null research hypotheses are formulated:
1. There is no significant relationship between the Headmaster factors influencing teachers'
willingness to exhibit behavioural problems in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government
Area.
2. There is no significant relationship between parental factors influencing teachers’ willingness
to exhibit behavioural problems in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area.
3. There is no significant relationship between government factors influencing teachers’
willingness to exhibit behavioural problems in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government
Area.
4. There is no significant relationship between the roles of Headmasters in managing teachers’
behaviours problem in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area.
5. There is no significant relationship between Headmasters’ arrestive measures to manage
teacher behavioural problems.
6. There is no significant relationship between Headmasters’ settlement/resolution measures to
manage teachers’ behavioural problems.
Significance of the Study
The significance of this study is that it will give an insight into the factors that may be
responsible for behavioural problems among teachers in primary schools. The importance of this
study also lies in the fact that it will throw more light on this “ancient problem” that has been
disturbing and eaten up the very root of our society.
In the past, many people through behavioural problems were limited to just the students,
principals and the Ministry of Education alone. Thus research however recognizes the fact that
teachers also play some vital roles in either controlling or breeding behavioural problems in
schools. This study will help in reducing cases of behavioural problems in primary schools.
Operational Definition of Terms

5. In order to minimize ambiguity in this study, it is necessary to define the operative words used
therein. The writer is aware that it is difficult to give a clear definition which is universally
acceptable but an attempt will be made on the words used in this research work.
The definitions are thus only aimed at helping the reader to follow the thought of the writer.
Truancy: This is perpetual absenteeism from school or failure to come to school regularly.
Disobedience: This refers to all acts of refusal or failure to obey orders or school rules and
regulations.
Causes: That is a stimulus to or responsibility for the exhibited behaviour.
Teacher(s): A person who has completed a professional curriculum in an educational institution
and whose training has been officially recognized by the award of an appropriate teaching
certificate.
Malingering: Pretend to be ill in order to escape duty or work.
Dereliction: Neglect of duty.
Indulge: Gratify, give way to and satisfy desires, and overlook the faults.
Behavioural Problems: Undesirable acts exhibited by teachers in school such as lateness,
truancy, strike etc.
Factor: Refers to those things that are causative.
Problems: Question to be solved or decided.
Behaviour: Ways of conduct or manners (good or bad) or treatment shown towards others.
ABSTRACT
This research study attempted to identify ways in which behavioural problems manifest
themselves among head teachers in primary schools in Ilorin West Local Government Area of
Kwara State.
It also attempted to find the causes and management or control such indiscipline behaviours and
made recommendations for their management. The necessary data for the research study were
collected through the use of a questionnaire. One hundred teachers were randomly selected for
the study. Chi-square statistical procedure was used to analyse the data.
The result showed that the teachers surveyed shared the same view with regards to age, sex and
home background as responsible for behavioural problems. Respondents also shared the same

6. opinion with regard to the various ways or methods that can be used to control or manage
indiscipline, and behaviours in primary schools.
On the basis of the findings, recommendations were made that guidance and counselling services
should be organized, seminars and conferences to emphasise more indiscipline behaviours in the
schools.
EDITOR SOURCE: A Survey Of Causes And Management Of Teacher’s Behaviour Problems
Among Headteachers In Primary Schools In Ilorin West L.G.A