The Ramifications of Bullying in Lesotho Schools

Teboli David Makafane

doi:10.22158/jetss.v1n1p30

Abstract

This paper is based on a bigger study undertaken in 2017. It focuses on the ramifications of bullying in Lesotho schools. A qualitative research design was adopted to probe for in-depth information about consequences of bullying in schools. The methodology employed was the case study approach in two high schools in the Roma Valley. The population of the study was all teachers and students in the two high schools in Roma valley, while the sample comprised six teachers and eight students, who were purposively selected.The study found out that bullying has negative consequences to all parties; perpetrators, victims and bystanders. The finding of the study revealed that bullying contributes to depression and low self-esteem, which can lead to poor school performance and suicidal tendencies amongst the victims and bystanders. The study therefore recommends that Lesotho government should come up with a policy to eliminate bullying in schools and establish programmes directed at teaching learners attitudes, knowledge and skills which they can use to circumvent bullying.

Highlights

Bullying has been identified by many scholars as a worldwide problem (Tattum, 1993; Meyer, 2008) as a result learner safety in schools has become a current academic concern
The findings depict that bystander are aware of negative consequences of bullying even though they still encourage and give a bully more energy and power
These findings show that bystanders normally get almost same punishment with the perpetrators because they bite big steak as well

Summary

Introduction

Bullying has been identified by many scholars as a worldwide problem (Tattum, 1993; Meyer, 2008) as a result learner safety in schools has become a current academic concern. The respondents who were victims of bullying said they did not feel safe and they felt like they did not belong to school, this how student five and student six put it in their words: It is one of the saddest things in life, I feel very sad when someone is bullying me to extend that I wish I can withdraw from school. A learner may decide to commit suicide as a result of bullying This is confirmed by Sourander (2016) who asserts that previous studies in bullying have found a link between bullying and higher risk of mental problems during childhood, such as low self-esteem, poor school performance, depression and increased risk of suicide. One teacher articulated the issue of revenge ; I think people bully others in schools especially here because they want revenge, there might have been a lot which happened to student, either societal rejection, family rejection or friends rejection so such victims will bully others because they just want to revenge, this problem will even go outside school where you will see such a victim as violent at community level even after school (T. 5). student, before we expel or suspend that student we communicate together with student’s parents the offences and the judgement (T. 6)

Conclusions

Recommendations On the basis of findings of the study it is recommended that