BULLYING IN SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS, A CRITICAL RESEARCH INSIGHT

A study on bullying at schools has revealed disturbing short and long-term effects such as social disengagement, poor academic performance and in worst case-suicide amongst pupils.

Various forms of bullying, including physical, verbal, cyber and sexual harassment as well and their psychological effects were brought into a sharp focus on the second day of institutional research day at Mthatha health resource Centre during a presentation by the Department of Social Work researchers Professor Simon Kangete and Mzimkhulu Inganathi.

In their paper, the pair noted emotional and psychological effects such as emotional numbness, flashbacks, nightmares and hallucinations are often the side effects of various forms of bullying.

They conducted this research to understand the impact of bullying in South African schools with the goal of informing the development of effective anti-bullying interventions and policies.

By examining existing literature, they sought to shed light on the ways in which bullying affects learner’s mental, emotional and academic wellbeing.

Kangete emphasised that bullying is not only just a school level issue but a significant violation of human rights that directly undermines national development goals, including the national development plan 2030.

“We see that bullying has a health effect, so it is actually acting against the fulfillment of goal three on health and wellbeing, as well as goal number four that talks about education,” he said.

Mzimkhulu discussed the various forms of bullying, including physical, verbal, cyber and sexual harassment as well and their psychological effects.

“Different forms of bullying contribute to both immediate and long-term trauma, such as emotional numbness, flashbacks, nightmares and hallucinations in some cases,” Mzimkhulu highlighted.

He also shared a case study where a student committed suicide due to bullying, illustrating the severe consequences.

Kangeke emphasised how isolation is a significant issue for bullied students, leading to social disengagement and poor academic performance.

The duo concluded by raising a need for a coordinated, intersectoral approach to tackle bullying in South African schools because even teacher morale and motivation are affected by it, making it crucial to address the issue for the sake of academic performance.

By Mahle Sokiti