In Loco Parentis and Positive Discipline: Building Schools as Character Building Communities

Louis Jinot Belle; Danalutchmee Chemen

doi:10.33650/ijess.v5i1.9884

In Loco Parentis and Positive Discipline: Building Schools as Character Building Communities

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33650/ijess.v5i1.9884

Authors (s)

(1) * Louis Jinot Belle

(Open University of Mauritius)
        Mauritius
(2)  Danalutchmee Chemen   (Open University of Mauritius)
        Mauritius
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study aims to explore proactive discipline strategies in preventing indisciplined actions in public secondary schools. Using a qualitative approach and case study design, data were collected through focused group discussions involving students, teachers, and principals from five institutions. Key findings suggest that an effective discipline strategy consists of three key elements: parental involvement, school leadership that serves as a surrogate parent, and the application of positive discipline. Parents' emotional and communicative involvement has been shown to shape students' character and obedient behavior. The principal's participatory leadership, which is physically present in the school environment, creates a sense of security and strengthens student compliance. Meanwhile, a positive discipline approach that focuses on character development through example, dialogue, and active student involvement can increase intrinsic awareness of disciplinary values. This research makes a conceptual contribution to the development of a collaborative, humanistic, and contextual disciplinary management framework. The practical implications of this study include the need for systemic integration of all three strategies in national education policy to create a sustainable culture of discipline in secondary schools.

Keywords

Positive Discipline, In Loco Parentis, Parental Involvement

Full Text: PDF

References

Bal, F., Çokluk, G. F., & Savaş, E. (2025). Investigation of the Effectiveness of Short-Term Grief-Focused Group Intervention for 1st Degree Losses in Earthquake. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 55, 151852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2025.151852

Bembenutty, H., Kitsantas, A., & Mullen, C. A. (2024). Harnessing Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Regulation: Dale H. Schunk’s Enduring Influence. Educational Psychology Review, 36(4), 139.

Byrne, D. (2022). A Worked Example of Braun and Clarke’s Approach to Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Quality and Quantity, 56(3), 1391–1412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01182-y

Cho, Y., Grenier, R., & Williams, P. (2022). Introduction: Innovation in Qualitative Research in HRD. European Journal of Training and Development, 46(7–8), 685–692. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-05-2022-0058

Davis, K. M., Nation, M., Christopher, C., & Fisher, B. W. (2024). The Role of Social Emotional Competencies in Student Discipline and Discipline Disparities. Journal of School Violence, 23(2), 250–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2023.2297040

Espelage, D. L., Valido, A., & Poekert, P. E. (2021). Pilot Evaluation of K-12 School Security Professionals Online Training: Understanding Trauma and Social–Emotional Learning. School Mental Health, 13(1), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-020-09399-2

Hahn, C., Lindkvist, E., Magnusson, D., & Johansson, M. (2025). The Role of Agriculture in a Sustainable Energy System – The Farmers’ Perspective. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 213, 115437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.115437

Hennink, M., & Kaiser, B. N. (2022). Sample Sizes for Saturation in Qualitative Research: A Systematic Review of Empirical Tests. Social Science and Medicine, 292, 114523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114523

Hill, G. M., Kawahara, A. Y., Daniels, J. C., Bateman, C. C., & Scheffers, B. R. (2021). Climate Change Effects on Animal Ecology: Butterflies and Moths as a Case Study. Biological Reviews, 96(5), 2113–2126. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12746

Hossain, M. R., Akhter, F., & Sultana, M. M. (2022). SMEs in COVID-19 Crisis and Combating Strategies: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and A Case From Emerging Economy. Operations Research Perspectives, 9, 100222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orp.2022.100222

Hsu, P. C., & Chen, R. S. (2023). Analyzing the Mechanisms by Which Digital Platforms Influence Family-School Partnerships Among Parents of Young Children. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(24), 16708. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416708

Jones, R., Kreppner, J., Marsh, F., & Hartwell, B. (2023). Punitive Behaviour Management Policies and Practices in Secondary Schools: A Systematic Review of Children and Young People’s Perceptions and Experiences. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 28(2–3), 182–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2023.2255403

Karatsiori, M. (2023). In the Pursuit of “Quality Education”: From Ancient Times to the Digital Era, Can There Be a Consensus? Cogent Education, 10(2), 2286817. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2286817

Keemink, J. R., Sharp, R. J., Dargan, A. K., & Forder, J. E. (2022). Reflections on the Use of Synchronous Online Focus Groups in Social Care Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21, 16094069221095314. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221095314

Layton, M., Taylor, J., & Collins, D. (2023). The Measurement, Tracking and Development Practices of English Professional Football Academies. Journal of Sports Sciences, 41(18), 1655–1666. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2289758

Li, J. B., Bi, S. S., Willems, Y. E., & Finkenauer, C. (2021). The Association Between School Discipline and Self-Control From Preschoolers to High School Students: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research, 91(1), 73–111. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654320979160

Lungu, S. (2025). Teacher’s Perspectives on the Factors Contributing to School Violence Among High School Students in Mthatha: A Call for School Social Workers. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences (PJLSS), 23(1), 5611–5620. https://doi.org/10.57239/pjlss-2025-23.1.00438

Macenski, S., Foote, T., Gerkey, B., Lalancette, C., & Woodall, W. (2022). Robot Operating System 2: Design, Architecture, and Uses in the Wild. Science Robotics, 7(66), eabm6074. https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.abm6074

Malhotra, R., Massoudi, M., & Jindal, R. (2023). Shifting From Traditional Engineering Education Towards Competency-Based Approach: The Most Recommended Approach-Review. Education and Information Technologies, 28(7), 9081–9111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11568-6

Mayer, M. J., Nickerson, A. B., & Jimerson, S. R. (2021). Preventing School Violence and Promoting School Safety: Contemporary Scholarship Advancing Science, Practice, and Policy. In School Psychology Review (Vol. 50, Issues 2–3, pp. 131–142). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2021.1949933

Mitsea, E., Drigas, A., & Skianis, C. (2023). Digitally Assisted Mindfulness in Training Self-Regulation Skills for Sustainable Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, 13(12), 1008. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13121008

Moynihan, J. A., & O’Donovan, M. (2022). Learning and Teaching: The Extent to Which School Principals in Irish Voluntary Secondary Schools Enable Collaborative Practice. Irish Educational Studies, 41(4), 613–630. https://doi.org/10.1080/03323315.2021.1899019

Muñiz, J. O. (2021). Exclusionary Discipline Policies, School-Police Partnerships, Surveillance Technologies and Disproportionality: A Review of the School to Prison Pipeline Literature. Urban Review, 53(5), 735–760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-021-00595-1

Obeidat, B. F., Haimed, S., & AlKhaza’leh, M. S. (2024). Students’ Well-Being and School Climate: A Bibliometric Analysis. Review of Education, 12(2), e3486. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3486

Ozanne, R., Ireland, J. L., Ireland, C. A., & Thornton, A. (2024). The Impact of Institutional Child Abuse: A Systematic Review Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 78, 101946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2024.101946

Paat, Y. F., Yeager, K. H., Cruz, E. M., Cole, R., & Torres-Hostos, L. R. (2025). Understanding Youth Violence Through a Socio-Ecological Lens. Social Sciences, 14(7), 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14070424

Power, S., Bridgeman, J., & Taylor, C. (2024). Psychosocial Disorder or Rational Action? Contrasting Professional and Pupil Narratives of School Exclusion. Oxford Review of Education, 50(6), 817–833. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2024.2373061

Pyo, J., Lee, W., Choi, E. Y., Jang, S. G., & Ock, M. (2023). Qualitative Research in Healthcare: Necessity and Characteristics. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 56(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.22.451

Renjith, V., Yesodharan, R., Noronha, J., Ladd, E., & George, A. (2021). Qualitative Methods in Health Care Research. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_321_19

Ridwan, M., & Lalu Agus Satriawan. (2024). Implementation of Humanism Learning in Learning Islamic Religious Education in the Modern Era. Medina-Te: Jurnal Studi Islam, 20(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.19109/medinate.v20i1.23048

Schrödter, R., Noël, B., & Klatt, S. (2024). Game Management by Referees to Compensate for Errors in Judgement: A Decision Flow Model. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 22(3), 612–631. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2022.2161105

Wallace, D., & Joseph-Salisbury, R. (2022). How, Still, Is the Black Caribbean Child Made Educationally Subnormal in the English School System? Ethnic and Racial Studies, 45(8), 1426–1452. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2021.1981969

Zairul, M. (2021). Can Member Check Be Verified in Real Time? Introducing Arc (Asking, Record, Confirm) for Member Checking Validation Strategy in Qualitative Research. Engineering Journal, 25(1), 245–251. https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2021.25.1.245

Dimensions, PlumX, and Google Scholar Metrics

Refbacks

There are currently no refbacks.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies

Published by Lembaga Penerbitan, Penelitian, dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (LP3M) of Nurul Jadid University, Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.

https://venator.edu.pl/

http://ametconstruct.pl/

toto macau

https://dobraprzestrzen.edu.pl/

https://chars.edu.vn/