The Role of Time-Structured Morning Assemblies in Developing Students’ Time Awareness among Higher Secondary Students: Evidence from District Kohat, Pakistan

Abstract

Awareness of time and punctuality are skills that help students to achieve academically, grow as individuals and be successful in the workplace. There are different approaches schools take to developing these skills, and one of those approaches is to build them as part of a routine at school, such as morning assemblies, which help foster discipline and responsible actions. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of time-structured morning assemblies for developing students' timeline awareness in the higher secondary students of District Kohat, Pakistan. The survey design used was quantitative cross sectional. The study was conducted in 240 students and 60 teachers who were selected from the government higher secondary schools using multistage sampling. The Temporal Assembly Structures Scale (TASS) and Students' Timeline Awareness Scale (STAS) were used to gather data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results showed a positive perception of the time structured morning assemblies by participants and their significant relationship with students' timeline awareness. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between structured assemblies and students' time awareness. A regression analysis also showed that the size of the assembly structure – especially the fixed starting time and consistent implementation – had a significant influence on students' timeline awareness. It was also concluded that there were significant differences between the awareness of time across gender and grade. The results indicate that the structured morning assemblies have a positive impact on the students' punctuality, time management, and responsible behavior. It is recognized that morning assemblies are an effective school based strategy to improve students' awareness and use of time. Structured assemblies are therefore encouraged to assist schools to develop disciplined, self-regulated and time management skills in students for a lifetime.