SPECIFICS OF ANTI-BULLYING WORK OF THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

This article explores the pressing issue of bullying in the educational environment, with a focus on physical education classes. Physical education settings, where group dynamics and physical activity dominate, often become breeding grounds for peer victimization. The physical education teacher plays a critical role in recognizing, preventing, and addressing bullying behaviors. The research presented in the article involved a survey of eighteen physical education teachers from various educational institutions. The survey aimed to examine their awareness of bullying, types of bullying observed during physical education classes, contributing factors, and the strategies they employ to prevent and respond to such incidents. The findings reveal that bullying manifests in verbal, physical, and especially social forms – such as ignoring peers or excluding them from group activities. Victims often include students with distinctive physical features, poor motor skills, or limited social abilities. The article emphasizes the importance of teacher training focused on anti-bullying strategies in physical education settings. Teachers must be equipped to recognize bullying behaviors, foster a supportive and inclusive classroom atmosphere, and engage in constructive dialogue with students. Prevention through education is crucial: physical education teachers should integrate discussions, activities, and training on empathy, respect, and fair play into their teaching. Moreover, the article highlights the role of the teacher’s behavior, communication style, and chosen activities in influencing peer relationships. The research concludes that creating a safe and respectful learning environment in physical education classes requires a systematic, proactive approach, involving not only the teacher but also school administration and parents. Future research should focus on developing targeted training modules for physical education teacher preparation programs aimed at equipping educators with the skills necessary to counteract bullying effectively.