The ManicaPost
Shelton Mwanyisa
Emerging Educational Issues
It is disheartening to note that schools can be places where enemies rather than friends are created.
On 12 December 2020, some students from a certain school (name withheld) allegedly took another student to a dam near the school, accusing him of stealing a mobile phone.
They assaulted the victim for three hours, at the same time pushing him into the water.
They only stopped bullying the student after the lunch bell rang.
In another case, in 2012, the body of a 13-year-old boy identified as Form One pupil was found floating in a swimming pool at another school (name withheld) with suspicions that he was beaten to death.
Bullying is widespread, cases are alarming and negatively impacting on the learning process.
The rise in reports of bullying reported in a number of our schools compelled this writer to explore the problem of bullying in schools with a view of addressing the problem.
It also appears as if schools are not adequately addressing the issue of bullying.
Welcome to the column Emerging Education Issues.
This week we focus on another controversial issue – bullying.
The article will start by providing a general definition of bullying.
What Is bullying?
Bullying is defined as any frequent, intentional and aggressive behaviour of a learner which is directed to another student at school or outside the school.
There are different forms of bullying happening in schools and these include physical, verbal, relational, cyber, sexual, and prejudicial.
The forms of bullying overlap and a bully may use more than one form to abuse a victim.
Students who are bullied can experience a plethora of short and long-term problems, including depression, anxiety and social withdrawal.
Victims can engage in substance abuse, experience difficulties in school work, poor attendance, and even commit suicide.
Research evidence shows that children who are targets of bullying may become victims or perpetrators of violence even in later in life.
Meanwhile, those who bully others are more likely to be social misfits, get into fights and have criminal convictions in adulthood.
Many people regard physical bullying as the common and only form of aggression in schools, and yet bullying is multifaceted.
Physical bullying
Physical bullying is the most common type of bullying and many people think it is the only form of aggression worth paying attention.
Physical bullying manifests in smacking, hitting, kicking, tripping, and pushing.
It also extends to inappropriate hand gestures, stealing or breaking belongings.
Food can be grabbed from victims during break and lunch time.
It is perpetrated by an individual or group of students who are physically stronger than the individual being targeted.
Boys are more likely to be involved in physical bullying than girls.
Verbal bullying
New comers are quite often verbally abused.
Perpetrators use spoken or written words to insult or intimidate others.
Verbal bullying can be difficult for the victim to prove to authorities.
Therefore, this form of bullying can become a long-term source of stress and anxiety for victims.
Relational bullying
Relational bullying, which is also referred to as relational aggression or social bullying, involves actions intended to harm a victim’s reputation or relationships.
It can include spreading rumours and purposely excluding someone or others in social situations.
Unlike more overt types of bullying, it is especially sly and insidious because it involves social manipulation.
Research has shown girls are more often the victims of relational bullying than boys.
The problem that arises in schools is that adults tend to think relational bullying is less serious and have less empathy for victims of relational bullying than victims of physical and verbal bullying.
Cyber bullying
With the introduction of Information Communication Technology in the curriculum, use of electronic devices expose some students to cyber bullying.
Cyber bullying is a growing social problem that needs to be checked.
Cyber bullying happens via electronic devices, including computers, smart phones, and tablets.
It can take place over text messages, social media applications, or online forums.
It involves posting or sending harmful content, including messages and photos, and sharing personal information that causes humiliation.
Perpetrators of cyber bullying are less likely to be caught, but the nature of cyber bullying is very damaging to victims.
Sexual bullying
Meanwhile, sending or receiving sexually explicit messages or images between electronic devices is becoming increasingly common.
The prevalence of the behaviour increases at adolescence.
Sexual bullying can be through online or physical bullying that involves sexual comments or actions, including sexual jokes and name-calling, crude gestures, spreading sexual rumours, sending sexual photos or videos, and touching or grabbing someone inappropriately.
Prejudicial bullying
Prejudicial bullying involves online or physical bullying based on the target’s race, ethnicity, gender and or religion.
It is based on stereotypes and is often a result of the belief that some people deserve to be treated with less respect than others.
Ethnicity and gender discrimination are the dimensions that usually drives prejudicial bullying in schools.
Education cannot be conducted in chaos.
As such, strategies to reduce and control the prevalence of bullying in schools will be the focus of attention in the next edition of your favourite newspaper, The Manica Post.
