Preventative Strategies to Curb School Violence: A Case Study of Selected Schools in Hhohho District of Eswatini, Mbabane

Nomathemba Nomakhosi Sibisi, Nonhle Tracey Sibisi () and Zandile Faith Mpofu
Additional contact information
Nomathemba Nomakhosi Sibisi: School of Applied Human Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
Nonhle Tracey Sibisi: Department of Social Work and Criminology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Zandile Faith Mpofu: School of Applied Human Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: The violence occurring in schools is a concerning phenomenon with pervasive implications for learners, teachers, and communities. Its impact culminates in fear, stress, and a reduced sense of safety among learners and teachers. Its consequences extend beyond physical harm, thus affecting an individual’s mental well-being. This study provides a precis of the comprehensive nature of school violence and preventative strategies meant to curb this phenomenon. This study employed a case study design located within the interpretative paradigm. A qualitative approach was used to delve into the perceptions of learners and educators on the nature of school violence and measures that could be adopted to prevent it. Thirty ( n = 30) participants involving ten learners ( n = 10), ten parents ( n = 10), and ten educators ( n = 10) were purposively sampled. Ten learners participated in focus-group discussions, with five learners representing each school located in Mbabane, Eswatini (Imbabane Central and Mater Dolorosa High Schools). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 teachers and 10 parents (5 parents and 5 teachers from each school). A lack of effective methods of disciplining learners was identified as a cause of bullying and aggressive behaviours among learners. The findings reflect that violence is deeply rooted in harmful social norms, with corporal punishment being widely advocated by the participants. The findings indicate a crucial need for adopting an integrated and collaborative approach to the development and implementation of effective preventative measures.

Keywords: school violence; curbing school violence; school safety; preventative measures; Eswatini (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/79/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/2/79/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:79-:d:1326681

Access Statistics for this article

Social Sciences is currently edited by Ms. Yvonne Chu

More articles in Social Sciences from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().