Educators' views on bullying among high school students in the O. R. Tambo Inland: Implications for social work practice

Bullying is a pervasive issue in high schools, with profound detrimental effects on students' academic performance, social well-being, and emotional health. This study examines educators' views on bullying among high school students in the O. R. Tambo Inland and explores its implications for school social work. Employing a qualitative approach and an interpretive paradigm, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten educators selected using convenience sampling. The findings reveal that physical and verbal bullying are the most prevalent forms, often exacerbated by peer dynamics and a lack of parental involvement. Bullying was also found to diminish students' motivation and engagement, resulting in lower academic achievement and heightened emotional distress. Educators underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among schools, parents, and social workers to address bullying comprehensively. The study recommends implementing robust anti-bullying policies, enhancing parental engagement, empowering bystanders, and integrating school social workers into intervention initiatives. These findings highlight the need for holistic, multi-stakeholder approaches to effectively reduce bullying and cultivate safer, more inclusive school environments.