Exploring the prevalence of teachers'workplace bullying in Lesotho Primary schools
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Date
2024
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Publisher
National University of Lesotho
Abstract
Studies conducted worldwide indicate that workplace bullying in schools is on the increase, with
teachers negatively affected. In countries such as South Africa, as high as 90.8 percent of teachers
are affected by workplace bullying. Teachers at different levels – whether it is class teachers,
school principals, or board members – reported experiencing workplace bullying and its adverse
results, including poor health, difficulty focusing on work, and avoidance of work to escape
bullying. Hence, it was essential to explore teachers’ workplace bullying in Lesotho primary
schools, focusing on the Peka area. This study, which adopted the interpretivist paradigm and
multiple case studies research design, generated data through interviews of 15 participants who
consisted of the principal and two teachers from five selected schools. The study used a qualitative
approach used to determine the prevalence of teachers’ workplace bullying in Peka primary
schools. It detailed teachers’ experiences of workplace bullying, the effects of workplace bullying
in primary schools, and its management. The findings revealed that teachers experience various
forms of workplace bullying and different consequences as a result, including suffering from poor
health, experiencing low self-esteem, losing interest in their work and workplace and having fear
of doing assigned work. Some teachers who experience such bullying have thoughts of resigning.
Perpetrators of workplace bullying in Peka primary schools include principals, colleagues, parents,
and learners. The study recommends that teachers and principals be conscientious about workplace
bullying in schools. Different stakeholders need to be equipped with ways of handling workplace
bullying, including appropriate reporting mechanisms and prevention methods. Schools should
create and implement anti-bullying policies and programmes, and properly use them to protect
teachers.