The dynamics of learners’ bullying behavior in schools – A case study of selected secondary schools in the O.R. Tambo Inland Education District, South Africa

The dynamics of learners’ bullying behavior in schools – A case study of selected secondary schools in the O.R. Tambo Inland Education District, South Africa

Sakumzi Poswa & Thabisa Nodayinge

Issue: Vol. 7 No. 5 2026 Article 3 pp.513 – 526
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2026753 Published online 26th June 2026.

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ABSTRACT

This research explores the multifaceted nature of bullying behavior in South African schools. Bullying is a systematic and deliberate misuse of power in relationships, involving verbal, physical, or social behaviours intended to inflict physical, social, or psychological harm. To support learners’ social well-being, it is essential to grasp the underlying dynamics of bullying behavior. The underlying causes of school violence and bullying include gender and social norms, and wider contextual and structural factors. To examine bullying behaviour in schools, this paper adopted a positivist paradigm and quantitative approach, prioritizing large-scale data collection to inform evidence-based conclusions. The analysis of primary data reveals that factors such as family, peers, social norms, culture, school climate, educator effectiveness, and parenting styles contribute to learner behavior. Implementing behavior modification strategies and strengthening support systems could mitigate bullying in schools. By strengthening school and district-based support teams with professionals such as psychologists and social workers, schools can promote a bullying-free environment and foster a positive school culture.

Keywords: Bullying, Social-Ecological Framework, Religious Intolerance, Parenting Style, School Climate and Culture.

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AUTHOR(S)

Poswa Sakumzi, PhD, is a primary school principal of the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education. He also graduated with a Doctor of Education degree from Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa. His research focuses on finding strategies that schools can use to reduce bullying. Using a quantitative method, he studies the effects of the environment on learners’ bullying behavior.

Thabisa Nodayinge holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, and her studies focused on Students with disabilities. She graduated from iYuniversity Walter Sisulu. She has extensive experience in the field of Social Work. She served in the following institutions and organisations: Department of Basic Education (OR Tambo Coastal), Sessional Social Worker in Child-line South Africa – rendering residential therapeutic camp to survivors of sexual assault, Small Project Foundation and Songe Social Change. She also worked as an Academic Advisor under Student Affairs, and she is currently an Acting Coordinator for Students with Disabilities under Disability Unit of iYuniversity Walter Sisulu.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Poswa, Sakumzi, and Thabisa Nodayinge. “Understanding and addressing challenges experienced by student youth workers during Work-Integrated Learning in Secure Care Centres in South Africa.” Journal of Education and Learning Technology 7, no.5 (2026): 513 – 526. https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.2026753