FACTORS LEADING TO BULLYING AMONG LEARNERS: A CASE STUDY OF KHAMI DISTRICT PRIMARY SCHOOLS, ZIMBABWE

Bullying in schools is a very old worldwide phenomenon. It is one of the most common forms of violence. What is new is the growing awareness that it has serious damaging effects for bullies, victims, schools and communities. Schools throughout the world have been plagued by bullying which can have negative consequences for the general school climate and for the right of the students to learn in a safe environment without fear. This study set to investigate factors that lead to bullying behaviour among learners. Premised on the qualitative approach the study used the case study research design. The target population were teachers and primary schools learners. The sample comprised forty -five participants from Khami District who were purposefully sampled. The main tools for data collection were in-depth interviews and questionnaires. Data was analysed using percentages and the transcribed data was organised into themes and reported in text form. The findings revealed that the majority of learners and teachers were aware of the bullying that was going on around them. The study also established that the various causes included personal characteristics, exposure to violence and abuse, poor parenting styles, lack of rules targeting bullying, peer pressure, and inferiority complex. Based on these findings, some recommendations for the schools were made. It was recommended that bullying in schools warrants intervention