The Ramifications of Bullying in Lesotho Schools

Abstract

This paper is based on a bigger study undertaken in 2017. It focuses on the ramifications of bullying in Lesotho schools. A qualitative research design was adopted to probe for in-depth information about consequences of bullying in schools. The methodology employed was the case study approach in two high schools in the Roma Valley. The population of the study was all teachers and students in the two high schools in Roma valley, while the sample comprised six teachers and eight students, who were purposively selected.

The study found out that bullying has negative consequences to all parties; perpetrators, victims and bystanders. The finding of the study revealed that bullying contributes to depression and low self-esteem, which can lead to poor school performance and suicidal tendencies amongst the victims and bystanders. The study therefore recommends that Lesotho government should come up with a policy to eliminate bullying in schools and establish programmes directed at teaching learners attitudes, knowledge and skills which they can use to circumvent bullying.