Phenomenological study of bullying in selected secondary schools in Mzimba North District

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