Bullying in rural schools: a comparison between boys and girls
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Date
2017
Authors
Tonono, Melinda
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Abstract
Bullying is a problematic phenomenon in South African schools, affecting victims and bullies
in various ways. These can have far reaching consequences that can last for years. This
research sought to investigate bullying in rural schools. It sought to investigate the existence
of bullying in rural schools and to explore the nature of bullying in rural schools, with regards
to gender. Using a cross-sectional survey research design, 200 learners from high schools in
the Eastern Cape completed the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Data obtained from the
participants was analysed using Chi-Square Test of Independence for each question in the
questionnaire. The results confirmed the existence of bullying in rural schools. All three
forms of bullying (physical, verbal, psychological bullying) and cyberbullying were present
in the schools. Both boys and girls are experiencing bullying. The implications of this study
include feelings of a lack of safety in the school environment, which will invariably affect
learners’ academic and social progress. As such, more interventions should be designed to
combat adverse effects of bullying.
Description
A Master’s Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, School of Human and Community Development, Discipline of Psychology, for the Degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, July 2017.
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Citation
Tonono, Melinda (2017) Bullying in rural schools: a comparison between boys and girls, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <https://hdl.handle.net/10539/24463>