Manifestation of Violence in Primary and Secondary Schools in South Africa

Abstract

The level of violence at primary and secondary schools in South Africa is extremely high. As such, there is no evidence to suggest that the Department of Basic Education has been able to address the escalation of violence in schools as well as the factors that contribute towards increased levels of violent behaviour. Therefore, the primary aim of this paper was to critically analyse the various ways through which violence manifests itself in primary and secondary schools in South Africa. Secondly, the paper reflects on various factors that contribute to violent behaviour in schools. The theory of planned behaviour was applied to understand increased levels of violent behaviour at schools. This paper is conceptual because it is based on the systematic review of scholarly and non-scholarly documents on school violence. The paper reveals that school violence manifests in different ways, such as bullying, sexual assault, physical assault, murder and teen suicides. Among the key factors that contribute to violent behaviour are the use of dagga, abuse of drugs, carrying of dangerous weapons in school precincts, learners' socialisation and immediate environment. The main argument is that both primary and secondary schools should strive to control and reduce violence in schools in consultation with the justice cluster institutions to identify practical and viable solutions to school violence. Equally important, the theory of planned behaviour reveals that when school children observe that fellow erratic and problematic scholars are not penalised for their wrongdoing, it is likely that they will engage in similar misdemeanours. This suggests that whoever engages in violent behaviour should be penalised in such a manner that those who are aware of their offences and penalties will not be tempted to commit similar offences.