Abstract:
The study explored the views of students and school management on the
incidence of bullying and its effects on students‘ academic performance as
well as their social life in some selected SHSs in the Cape Coast Metropolis.
Guided by the descriptive cross-sectional survey research design, the study
employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to collect
data from 390 students and 10 teachers in management positions in five
selected SHSs. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 5 schools
from the Metropolis while stratified and simple random sampling technique
was used to select the student respondents from Form 1, Form 2 and Form 3.
Also, purposive sampling technique was used to select the staff participants
for the interviews. The study found kicking, slapping, pushing and kneeling as
common acts of bullying in the schools. Furthermore, the study established
that bullying occurs several times in a week in most SHS. It was concluded
from the students‘ point of view that bullying did not have any impact on their
academic performance and their social life as well. However, teachers were of
the view that bullying wasted students‘ time, made students timid and also feel
intimidated during their stay in the school which in turn affect their academic
performance. Finally, the study noted that management of SHSs in the Cape
Coast Metropolis had laid down rules and regulations to deter students from
indulging in any form of bullying. This notwithstanding, it is recommended
that the Ghana Education Service should formulate an overarching antibullying
policy to form a base for management of the SHS to formulate their
unique anti-bullying policies. Education on the concept of bullying should be
intensified to create awareness.
