Enhancing Students' Discipline through Monitored Flag Ceremony and Its Impact on Their Academic Performance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Flag Raising is one of the most important routines in school as it opens the day for teaching and learning. Based on the Department of Education Order No. 50 s. 2015, it is also a time for the school to develop and strengthen students' discipline. Initial observation of the conduct of the flag ceremony in Masapang Integrated National High School reveals that there is a low attendance, takes long to conduct and the weakness of students' discipline is evident. The aim of this study is to increase the attendance, conduct a systematic flag raising ceremony by devising a monitoring form as guide, and enhance discipline among students which in return will affect the students' academic performance.

METHODS

The study made use of descriptive method as it sought to describe the behavior of the students who attend the flag ceremony. This research used a monitoring tool as an instrument data gathering. This monitoring tool comprised items on checking the percentage of attendance before the start of the ceremony and their performance which includes line formation, wearing of uniform, interfaith prayer, reciting of the pledges, singing and marching of the hymn and marches, exercise and food for thought. Advisers and subject teachers monitored each section. Weighted mean per activity was used to compare the data.

RESULTS

Based on the data gathered during the start of the third quarter, there is a significant increase in the attendance of the students attending the flag ceremony. Attendance increased by 34.75% after three months closed monitoring using the monitoring form. With regards to performance, there is a substantial increase from 3.28 to 4.45 weighted mean. The conduct of the routine was smoother because of the evident changes in the behavior of the students. Flag ceremony time was also reduced from 32 minutes to 16 minutes. The noteworthy impact is the increase in the Mean Percentage Score (MPS) from 63.09 during the second quarter to 73.75 at the third quarter.

DISCUSSIONS

The research proves that enhancing discipline through monitored flag ceremony affects the students' academic performance. Although the students involved in this research are only in Grade 7 and 8, future study needs to be conducted involving the Grades 9 and 10 students as well as the Senior High School students once the building in the school becomes operational. Modification of the monitoring tool should also be adopted in the future activities and guidelines in the conduct of the flag ceremony.