Bullying of educators by learners : a pastoral challenge

Abstract

Aims and objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of bullying of educators by learners they teach, thereby make an effort to improve the methods of dealing with bullying in our schools by introducing a pastoral counselling approach to our schools. The objectives of the study were the following: • To journey with the bullied educators through method of positive deconstruction, so as to give a supportive system and to cease their pain of being shamed and belittled. • To develop a pastoral model to help bullying victims and perpetrators. • To avail to the educators another possible effective method to deal with bullying in our schools, "A formation of pastoral model". • To combat the acts of violence in our society • To create awareness of bullying in our society. This qualitative study endeavoured to answer the following research questions: What is the impact of bullying on the educator? The other forms of bullying like verbal bullying, teasing and threats found hard to investigate, as at times it is the victim's word against the perpetrator's word. The research found that it's not easy to get witnesses, especially from learners. Cases of the bully acts normally get neglected, unless, they ended up being physical. Findings and recommendations The study, presented findings and recommendations. These were to be piloted in one school with the aim to get to buy in of the Department of Education, so to have this approach implemented in all schools and be incorporated in the already existing policies and programmes of intervention. The author aimed at assisting our Department of Education and schools with an alternative method that can improve interventions. The study was feasible, as it was easy to find former educators and learners for interviews and study cases. Not much information was found from schools due to protocol, red tape and right procedure given our schools by the Government as far as information related to learners in our schools. It would have been difficult to complete this study on time if the author was to wait for authorization. Financially the author had to rely on his congregational and diocesan support. The author being a former educator was able therefore to work with adults who are no longer at school but have experienced bullying as former learners and educators. The following points are in the authors mind, as he seeks to research on the bullied, the bullies and the bystander: • Physical bullying is the most feared form of bullying and educators felt it a challenge as they can't retaliate due to policy. • Cyber bullying is the most difficult form of bullying that is highly perpetuated against educators and caused internal wounds and scars that take very long to heal. • Sexual bullying is one of the causes of high pregnancy amongst girls in our school. • Drugs and alcohol are a catalyst to many boys who bully their educators