Exploring the Role of Punishment in Students’ Motivation and Interest Towards Studies at the Elementary Level in Public and Private Schools

Abstract

This research proposes to examine the effects of punishment on the perceived interest of students in studying at the elementary level in both public and private schools in District Sialkot. The sample consisted of 600 students, 300 of either sex and 300 of the other sex, who were administered a self-developed questionnaire. SPSS version 24 was used to analyse the data based on descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that public school students exhibited much more punishment than the students in the private schools (M = 48.10, SD = 21.45 vs. M = 34.95, SD = 17.73). The correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between punishment and academic interest in students in both sectors. However, the relationship was much stronger in the public schools (r = -.53, p <.01) and weaker in the private schools (r = -.47, p<.01). Further validation of significant sectoral differences was done with independent samples t -tests (t = 8.022, df = 598, p =.000) as punishment is significantly more common in public schools. These findings suggest that excessive punishment will reduce individual motivation and engagement, particularly in the government. The research concludes that positive and student-focused approaches to discipline should be implemented in schools instead of punitive approaches, and that schools need to be moved toward disciplinary methods that build intrinsic motivation, responsibility, and interest in long-term academic pursuits.