THE NATURE, CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH SCHOOLS

This study sought to investigate the nature, causes and effects of school violence in four South African high schools. The participants comprised of 80 learners and 20 educators from the selected schools. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire was pilot studied in a school outside the district used. Themes, tables and percentages were used to analyse and interpret data collected from the participants. The study found that bullying; vandalism, gangsterism and corporal punishment were the most prevalent forms of school violence in schools. The study also found that school violence causes the following effects on learners: loss of concentration; poor academic performance; get scared and bunk classes; chaos and lose time; and depression. The implications of these findings were discussed in detail in the article.