Abstract:
Bullying is rife at Malawian schools and is one of the major issues facing educators, learners and
school communities. In this study the experiences of bullying among secondary school learners in
Malawi were explored. The main objective of the study was to unfold forms of bullying that are
facing learners, factors that contribute to bullying, effects of bullying in the lives of learners as
well as strategies which could be utilised to eradicate bullying in the school context. The study
used a qualitative phenomenological research approach. Semi-structured individual interviews and
focus group discussions were used as the method of data collection while individual interview
guide and Focus Group Discussion Guide were the data collection tools. Five boys and five girls
participated in the study. Individual interviews with five boys and five girls were conducted which
were followed by focus group interviews which included all the ten participants. The data collected
was analysed thematically using open coding. The findings confirm that bullying is rampant and
pervasive problem in the two selected schools. Boys usually engage in physical forms of bullying,
such as hitting, punching and kicking, and girls usually engage in more verbal form of bullying
such as insulting, name calling and spreading rumours. The study found out that these forms of
bullying affect learners physically, emotionally and psychologically. The study also found that
gender, age, economic status and sexuality contributes greatly to bullying in schools while the
school playground and classrooms were identified as places where bullying usually occur. The
findings indicated that gender discourses play a major role in perpetuating bullying in these
schools, as boys try to exercise their power over girls. This behaviour amongst learners hampers
efforts to raise educational standards and improve schools in our country. Besides, the vicious
cycle of bully/victim relationships has a negative influence on individual learners. In Malawi,
bullying behaviour in schools has been found to lead to problems such as a low self-esteem, low
academic performance, absenteeism, depression, and consequently school dropout. The study
suggested ways that could be employed to address bullying in schools. These include various stake
holders working together with the aim of eradicating bullying in the school. The study suggested
that teachers, parents and police are relevant people who can bring awareness of the problem and
help to reduce bullying in the school.The findings of this study will guide the Ministry of Education
to incorporate issues of bullying in the education system, for instance, through well formulated
anti bullying policies in secondary school curriculum
