Full Circle Digital Magazine September 2013 | Page 54

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SA schools still battling with
by Retha Kruger
Bullying is rife in today’s school culture, with devastating consequences which negatively affect not only learners and staff, but the broader neighbourhood community, the general school climate and the overall functioning of the school. Research shows that bullying can be a precursor to aggression and, if not addressed, may lead to more serious acts of violence. The detrimental effects of bullying are a harsh reality and urgent action is needed. What is being done to address and effectively manage bullying behaviour in our schools? Whilst the Department of Basic Education advocates for a whole-school approach to the prevention of bullying and violence at school, evidence-based approaches that focus on prevention and intervention methods and suitable policies to address bullying in different situations, are also required. These need to be school-based, based on individual resources and prevention and intervention plans, which draws on the experiences and contribution of the whole school community. Tips for addressing and managing bullying behaviour in schools: The fundamental component is to create a positive school climate. A whole-school approach is recommended to ensure the effective functioning of the school. This approach aims to develop supportive school environments that promote belonging, caring and respect. Sustained attitudinal change towards bullying behaviour is needed. This can be accomplished through staff development and opening up forums in which the school community can engage in discussions about bullying. Policies aimed at the eradication of bullying should be created and should provide structure and serve as guidelines for teachers and school management on how to collaboratively deal with bullying behaviour.

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Intensive and long-lasting prevention and intervention programmes should be implemented and evaluated on a systemic basis. Considerable pre-implementation planning is needed to garner staff support and buy-in for programmes and then to integrate these programmes with existing support services in the wider community. Campaigns and workshops which aim to provide the school staff with more knowledge, education and training, is critical to addressing, and learning how to respond effectively to bullying. Clear reporting methods should be used to document bullying incidences and record the intervention processes implemented. Consistent responses to incidents are critical in providing safer and more supportive environments. The physical structures of the school environment should be evaluated to identify areas where bullying occurs and implement strategies, such as supervision, to target these areas where bullying is more likely to occur. Teachers and school management need to be actively involved and engaged with learners – academically as well as personally. These individuals are at the forefront of addressing bullying by the modelling of appropriate behaviours, and dealing effectively with incidents of bullying. Schools need to involve key role-players from the school and wider community. Initiatives to combat bullying behaviour should bring together experts from various disciplines, and in co-operation with them, utilise their expertise in developing antibullying programmes and policies. Psychologists can play an important preventative role by engaging in the building of supportive psycho-social learning and teaching environments, as well as contribute to on-going staff development. It is important for the psychologist not to work only at the level of individual schools, but to strive to widen their intervention to a community level.

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FULL CIRCLE DIGITAL MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2013