The role of principals in creating safe environments in secondary schools
Abstract
This research was about how principals can create safe environments in secondary schools.
Safety is an important aspect in schools today as there are many incidents of violence, abuse,
rape and unsafe school buildings, amongst others, reported in newspapers, electronic media
and on television. A safe environment in schools is one that is free of risk and possible harm.
It is also a place where members of the community work, teach and learn without fear of
ridicule, intimidation, harassment, embarrassment and aggression. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted with five (5) secondary school principals and ten (10) teachers
individually at their respective schools. The research was qualitative in nature with an
interpretative paradigm, using a phenomenological study as a strategy. It was found that the
government has a responsibility to provide a safe and respectful learning atmosphere in which
all learners and the whole staff are treated with dignity and respect so that they can participate
fully in their academics and duties in a safe educational environment.
Furthermore, violence and the dysfunctionality of families also affect teaching and learning as
some learners become victims of criminal activities in the neighbourhood. Schools in
townships seem to have more problems in terms of safety as some are not getting support
from the community; instead, these schools are vandalised, and the learners are abused by
the community. Schools in town tend to be more protected because of security measures in
place. However, all five schools studied in this research tend to have factors in common that
are disrupting teaching and learning and affecting safety at school. These shared factors
include burglary, family rage, misbehaving learners and bullying. However, it became clear
that although there is lack of support from government, school principals still need to create
and maintain safe school environments. In this regard, good leadership from principals is
required so that the body can function well. In other words, the principal needs to give the
vision and support to the staff, so they can be able to implement it.
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