Learner Teacher-Targeted Bullying in South African High Schools

• In Event: Raising Worldwide Awareness of Well-Being in Education

Abstract

Studies about work place bullying recognise that teaching is becoming a high risk profession. Despite the global concern about teacher-targeted bullying by learners, a dearth of studies remain regarding the bullying of teachers. This study aims at making a contribution to the limited corpus of knowledge on the phenomenon. A phenomenological research design qualitative method was employed. Nine teachers in grade 12 class completed semi-structured interviews about the bullying of teachers by learners. Findings evince factors responsible for teachers being bullied. The study exposes the resultant effect of bullying on teachers as severe; responsible for stress, emotional distress, isolation, teacher burnout and sometimes attrition from practice.

Author

• Adeniran Gregory Adewusi, University of Pretoria