CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CYBER BULLYING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A CASE OF ESWATINI.

This paper explored on the causes and effects of bullying amongst learners in selected primary schools in the Kingdom of Eswatini as it has become an area of concern. It has become a nationwide worry because of school drop outs, academic decline, some getting hurt and sustains injuries in schools. Bullying submit learners to physical, social and psychological distresses. The paper looks at the various factors that contribute to cyber bullying amongst primary school learners. Bullying is rife in schools. This study emerged as a result of related literature, observation of circumstances on the ground, personal experience and general discussion with school learners from schools in the country. The study involved different stakeholders in the education system that directly or indirectly affected by this issue. Two private schools and one public school in the Hhoho Region of Eswatini were used in the study. Data generation tools such as in-depth face to face interviews and document analysis were used in this study. A sample of 15 learners, 6 teachers, 6 parents and 3 principals was used to conduct the study, making a total sample of 30 participants. A comprehensive purposive sampling method was used to select principals while learners and parents were selected randomly and convenient respectively, and lastly teachers were purposively selected, where selection of individual was to yield a great understanding of the phenomenon interest. The conclusion was that learners bullying was still dominant in mixed gender and single sex schools. Learners’ background and social media being the main contributing factors to cyber bullying among other reasons. These however, affect the behavior, self-esteem, mental, emotional, psychological, social life and academic performance of either the bully or the bullied one. It is further found that the existing policies in schools are not comprehensive enough to deal with cyber bullying. Recommendations made were, The Ministry of Education and Training need to encourage schools to have anti-bullying policy that seeks to protect all children in the schools. Government through the Ministry of Education and Training should orient parents and guardians on the rights of children, particularly the importance of respect for one another and self-respect. Parents are urged to be more involved in the life of their children and check some abnormalities in the behavior of their children especially the way they use their electronic gadgets.