Bullying in Schools: Strategies for Teachers and Administrators to Prevent the Vice
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Causes of Bullying in Schools
There are several factors that typically contribute to a student becoming a bully. One of the major causes is a power imbalance, where bullies prey on other students they perceive as weak. They target students who will not fight back or who they think will be easy to control through intimidation. Another common cause is exposure to bullying behavior at home or in the community. Children who witness family members or neighbors bullying may see the behavior as normal. If the bullying they witness goes unpunished, they will be motivated to mimic it.
For some bullies, there is an underlying need for attention or a desire to feel powerful. Bullying gives them a false sense of dominance and importance. In cases where the bully has low self-esteem or feels a lack of power, he or she may compensate through the antisocial behavior of intimidating and controlling their victims.
Furthermore, students who are struggling academically may turn to bullying as a way to divert attention from their own shortcomings. By targeting higher-achieving students or those with many friends, the bully may feel psychologically empowered. Teachers, parents, and education authorities will need to address the root psychological causes of each individual bully, which is key to curbing their harmful behaviors long-term.
The Kenyan Bullying scene
Bullying has been a major issue in Kenyan schools, as demonstrated by the recent shocking incident at Alliance High School. However, this was not an isolated case according to studies. Data from the WHO-backed Global School-based Student Health Survey finds violence among adolescents is widespread, ranking Kenya amongst the highest countries for bullying prevalence between 43-74%. Nationally, 57% of students reported being bullied at least once in the last two months. In western Kenya the rate was even higher at 66%. Surprisingly, gender made no difference as 57.4% of girls also experienced bullying. If left unaddressed, resolving this vice may not happen quickly.
Impact of Bullying on Victims
Being bullied for long periods of time is a form of torture. It can take a significant psychological and physical toll on victims. Many struggle with medical symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Their self-esteem also suffers, which may be followed by a lack of confidence. In some severe cases, ongoing bullying has even led victims to contemplate or commit suicide.
In addition to psychological impacts, bullied students frequently experience stress-related symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and difficulty sleeping. The mental and emotional anguish caused by bullying translates into real physical manifestations. School no longer feels safe, and the constant fear makes the victim lack focus on academics, leading to poor test scores and grades.
Of great concern should be the results of research that indicate that the effects of bullying persist into adulthood. Victims are more likely to struggle with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety many years after the bullying occurred. The victim may have a higher risk of behavioral issues as an adult. With early intervention and appropriate support, many victims are resilient and able to overcome bullying over time. Comprehensively addressing the problem is vital for students' well-being now and in the years to come.
Impact on Bully Perpetrators
As can be seen from the above, both the bullies and their victims face negative long-term consequences if intervention does not occur. Bullies are also prone to developing issues later in life, which may include depression and drug or alcohol abuse. They also tend toward greater academic struggles compared to their non-bullying peers. Bullies may maintain their aggressive tendencies into adulthood, which may lead to domestic violence and other criminal offenses. Bullies are therefore more likely to encounter serious legal troubles as adults. Early intervention can help curb these hazardous, long-term risks.
Role of Teachers and Administration
Teachers should play a primary role in stamping out bullying within their schools. If the school lacks formal anti-bullying policies, teachers have a responsibility to work with administrators to develop and implement clear guidelines. They must ensure students clearly understand the rules against bullying and the consequences of such behavior. Teachers should actively supervise areas where bullying often occurs, such as classrooms, hallways between classes, and the dining room. Some bullying also takes place on bus routes to and from school. Close monitoring by teachers will deter bullying from happening, besides helping teachers to immediately intervene when it does take place. When a bullying incident is reported, it is important that teachers and administrators take the claim seriously and investigate appropriately, with the aim of disciplining any guilty bullies in a timely and consistent manner. In schools with a zero-tolerance bullying policy, repeat offenders will swiftly face expulsion by school administrators.
It is also important for teachers to contact parents and keep them informed and involved in the process. This way, parents can better supervise children's behavior at home to reinforce the anti-bullying message. Working as a team, teachers, administrators, parents, and students unite to demonstrate that bullying will not be accepted or ignored within the school community.
Bystander Education about Bullying in Schools
Educating bystanders, or the students who witness bullying, is important in the war on bullying in schools. Teachers must clearly teach students that they should not passively watch or laugh at bullying incidents, as that type of reaction encourages the bully’s behavior. Students should be taught that remaining silent encourages the bully, making the witness an accomplice. Schools can encourage bystanders to speak up when they observe harassment. They can either directly confront the bully or alert an adult. It should also be very clear to whom they will report so that action can be taken immediately. Their safety and anonymity should be protected throughout the process. With education and assurances, bystanders transform from potential aiding forces to active advocates against harassment. When all student witnesses feel empowered to help end bullying, it severely undermines a bully’s power, leading to a more supportive school community for all.
Additional Strategies
Technology today allows bullying to extend beyond school grounds and onto online platforms. Therefore, supervision must also target online behaviors. Schools should monitor students' internet and social media use both during and after the school day. To prevent cyberbullying, clear internet safety guidelines and consequences need to be enforced. The school library must stock impactful resources that both powerfully depict the harmful effects of bullying through fictional narratives and provide invaluable guidance for teachers to recognize and effectively respond to instances of bullying. Peer mediation programs can help resolve conflicts before they escalate by training students in conflict resolution.
Identifying students at higher risk for bullying due to race, religious affiliation, or personal issues like low self-esteem or troubled homes allows schools to intervene early. School psychologists can address the underlying psychological factors that drive bullying behaviors. A multifaceted, long-term approach both deters and stops bullying from all angles.
To ensure all teachers have the resources and training needed to properly combat bullying, authorities must prioritize ongoing anti-bullying education. The Ministry of Education should mandate regular professional development sessions to help teachers understand modern bullying dynamics, including cyberbullying, and recognize less obvious forms of victimization. These trainings can provide teaching strategies to establish a positive classroom culture and effectively intervene in bullying situations. Additionally, the ministry must support adequate staffing levels so teachers are not overwhelmed. Fewer students per teacher allows for closer relationships and easier supervision to detect issues early. When equipped with proper education and given manageable resources, teachers can confidently enforce zero-tolerance bullying standards and support all students holistically.
An Thrilling Short Story About Bullying
Conclusion on Bullying in Schools
In conclusion, bullying is a serious issue that negatively impacts both bullies and victims in significant ways. However, through collaborative efforts across the entire school community, it can be reduced. Parents play an important role by educating children about bullying prevention. Talk to your child about how to identify bullying and help build their confidence and self-esteem so they are less likely to be targeted or feel the need to bully others. Roleplay positive ways your child can respond if they are bullied or see bullying occurring. Schools that have seen success implement numerous strategies together, from explicit policies to close supervision to bystander training. When students, parents, teachers, and administrators work as a team with prevention and early intervention, bullying is far less likely to take hold. Ending this harmful behavior will benefit all students and the community for years to come.
References
https://www.stompoutbullying.org/effects-bullying
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK390414/
https://www.apa.org/topics/bullying/prevent
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001232254/study-puts-kenya-top-of-global-bullying-chart
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2024 Emmanuel Kariuki
