The cause and types of school violence in Moretele District of the Mpumalanga Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the possible causes and types of school violence in its many facets. School violence has gained momentum overseas and in the Republic of South Africa, destroying the morale of learners and educators and the learning environment. It has become a major educational and social concern. Little has been documented about the possible causes and types of school violence, particularly in South Africa. The empirical investigation was employed to find out types and causes of school violence. Literature survey was also employed to determine the scope and nature of school violence. The population involved in this study was confined to principals, deputy principals, heads of departments, educator governors, educator liaison officers and ordinary educators. The results of 200 respondent were analysed. The findings revealed that the primary causes of school violence can be found in the community where no responsibility or pride is taken in the schools, homes and communal environment and where the life of the child is subjected to violence, in the home where discipline, values and norms are wanting, where the family is unstable, hostile and violent and where the child is ignored, in the school where the school governance, educators and learners themselves are ineffective. Other factors considered are drugs, attitudes, permissiveness, alienation, conflict and television. Recommendations made by the respondent on how to eliminate school violence are also expounded. The respondent put more emphasis on involvement of all stakeholders, training of learners to develop; anti-violence program skills, development, conflict management skills, empowerment of school governing body and development of instructional leadership style.