UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSE OF VIOLENCE AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The Faculty of EducationDominica State College

Submitted toTutor: Mrs Mary Vidal

Presented ByJoan Jean Jacques

January 6 2014

ED 1: CARIBBEAN

issues

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................1

RATIONALE........................................................................................................................3

METHOD OF INVESTIGATION................................................................................................6

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS...................................................................................8

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.............................................................................................15

BIBLIOGRAPHY.................................................................................................................17

APPENDIX........................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION

The world report on violence has defined it as "the intentional use of

physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or

against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of

resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation

(Etienne G. Krug, 2002) . This behavioural attitude noted by (Bowerman, 2013)

is an issue that troubles parents, administrators, and students and when a violent

event occurs at a school, people will feel a variety of emotions including shock,

anger, fear, and grief.

In recent years violence at schools has emerged as a serious concern to

both education and policy makers in Dominica, and also our Caribbean

counterparts. According to (Boodram, 2010), this trend of violence in schools

poses serious challenges to the fabric of the country’s education system. The

idea that children and young people could be involved in violent acts still seems

farfetched to many, because our schools ought to be a ‘safe haven’ where

students should fell free and welcome. However, schools are no longer seen as

a safe place where parents can feel comfortable knowing that their children are

far from violence.

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The underlying cause of this social issue suggest that there is in fact some

breakdown in our homes, community and schools. Therefore, when “any

member of the school community is subjected to abuse, threatening, intimidating

or humiliating behaviour or physical assault from a student, teacher, or staff

member” then it is considered as violence in the schools. Most educators and

practitioners would agree that school violence arises from a layering of causes

and risk factors that include (but are not limited to) access to weapons, media

violence, cyber abuse, the impact of school, community, and family

environments, personal alienation, and more.

School violence has been discussed at various forums in an attempt to

curb this growing trend, and while there appears to be no quick fix for the

problem, understanding what happened and framing your feelings, can go a long

way towards repairing the emotional damage.

The decision investigate violence in schools was to gain an understanding

of the social issue that will provide a clearer picture of what are the causes of

schools violence, and how violence in our schools impact the school community

both in Dominica and Guyana. This issues not only affect the Caribbean region

but also internationally.

A study of this nature will help to develop the awareness of the contributing

factors of school violence, and be able to make informed decisions on

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addressing this troubling phenomenon

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RATIONALE

Schools are institutions that provide each of our student a diverse

education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes self-discipline,

motivation, and excellence in learning. In this way students learn to develop

skills and become independent and self-sufficient adults who will succeed and

contribute responsibly in a global community (Education World, 2011). However,

this very important fabric of society that was once viewed as a safe place for

students learning is slowly being eroded with violence that is common to our

urban space. This prompts question, what is going wrong with our schools, and

a need to understand this development is the reason why we should investigate

the issue.

In Guyana, the (Stabroeknews) reported there are a number of episodes of

school violence, which has been increasing in recent years, not only in terms of

number of incidents but also the extremity of the violent behaviour. The paper

also stated, children learn what the live and duplicate what they see around

them. Dominica too is not immune to school violence, as there have been

disturbing violent behaviour at some of our schools. One online-news media

reported headline was “Stabbing at Pierre Charles Secondary School” and

another “NECS student in police custody”. Indicating the seriousness of the

situation.

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(Meadows, 2010), declared that violence is often situational and difficult to

predict, or even plan against it, and that violence is the results of personal and

social factors, including peer pressure, child abuse and neglect, drug use,

jealousy, lack of guidance, among others. Violent behaviour displayed in teens

may also stems from sudden change in life style caused by divorced and single-

parent homes which are inevitable in today’s society. However it should be noted

that not all family breakups cause children to become violent

It is therefore unquestionable that violence in schools has become a

problem that deserves serious interventions. The act of violence does not limit

itself only to the student population but even the teachers too are sometimes

subjected to violence behaviour on the school grounds. The build-up of

emotional and behavioural problems from being victimized in school can turn into

more serious behaviour in the future. Research has shown that students

witnessing or experiencing violence at an early age are most likely to engage

later in violent behaviour (Corinne David-Ferdon, 2012), therefore, it is incumbent

that we take the necessary actions that will assist in curbing violence at our

schools.

Many of our students handle situations at school by engaging in violent

behaviours, thus the reason why violence has increased. In truth, schools still

remain the most appropriate place where they can develop positive attitude

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towards each other. That virtue will help them to see the error of their ways and

in the process desist from making use of such behaviour. The findings of this

study will assist in identifying factors that causes school violence, and what we

as educators, policy makers and civil society can do to curb or eradicate violence

in our schools.

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METHOD OF INVESTIGATION

The method used for collection of the data were obtained from

questionnaires. Survey questionnaire provide a suitable method of obtaining the

information. Moreover, it is common technique to most persons, and easy to

use. The format used for the survey, was simple with direct question pertaining to

the relevant information. Advantages of survey questionnaire also include;

Relatively easy to analyse. A large sample of the given population can be contacted at relatively low

cost; They should be simple and quick for the respondent to complete Information is collected in a standardised way

Procedure Used To Collect Data

The research was conducted at two different secondary schools, in order

to make a comparison and to determine the level of violence present at the

secondary schools. The locality, the study was conducted at the Dominica

Goodwill Secondary School, and the Leonora Secondary School in Guyana, both

being co-educational institutions.

The schools chosen for this assignment was driven by close affiliation, in

that the researcher attended the Leonora Secondary School in Guyana, and the

researcher is presently a teacher at the Goodwill Secondary School in Dominica.

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Questioners were distributed randomly to selected students at the Goodwill

secondary school, which formed part of the sample size that consisted of twelve

(10) boys and eight (10) girls. The similar survey instrument was emailed to the

Beverly Gonsalves in Guyana for distribution, and subsequent collection of the

data which was received one week later. Locally the survey instruments were

distributed and collected the same day. The data was analysed and is

presented.

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DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

Data sample size.

The sample size for this survey was from a population of forty secondary

school students consisting of twenty Dominican students and twenty Guyanese

students. Response were received from all participants of the survey.

Survey findings

The survey captured a background of factors that contributes to violence at

secondary schools. The response shown in Figure 1: pie chart below (Dominica)

indicates that 48% of the students identified bullying as a prime cause of school

violence, while 26% suggested gangs related, followed by drug use with 21%

and 5% thought overcrowding.

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26%

21%

47%

5%

Dominica: Bullying Contribute to School Violence

GangsDrugsBullyingOvercrowding

Figure 1:

The response shown in Figure 2: pie chart below (Guyana) indicates that

50% of the students identified gangs as a prime cause of violence, while 34%

said bullying, followed by drug use with 13%, and 3% indicating overcrowding.

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50%

13%

34%

3%

Guyana: Gangs Contribute to School Violemce

GangsDrugsBullyingOvercrowding

Figure 2:

Students also identified peer pressure as a significant contributing factor

that influences the behaviour of (Dominica) student. The results indicates that,

47% consider it to be very high, with 37% of the sample population indicating it to

be high, while 16% thinks it is normal or below occurrence among peers.

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37%

47%

11%

5%

Dominica: Peer Pressure

Very HighHighNormalLowVery Low

Figure 3:

Based on the survey response in Guyana, approximately 89 % (from high

to very high) of the student though that peer pressure contributes to violence,

while the other 11% considered it to be average or below.

53%

36%

8%3%

Guyana: Peer Pressure

Very HighHighNormalLowVery Low

Figure 4:

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The other significant contributor observed from the survey, was linked to

domestic abuse, media and film, including unloved uncared for. The Data

collected was jointly analysed and is represented in Figure 5. Respondents

indicated domestic abuse as a prime cause of school violence, followed by media

and film, then unloved uncared for.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

causes of school violence

Series1

Figure 5:

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Data Analysis

A total of forty (40) questionnaires were distributed at two Secondary

Schools, one in Dominica and the other in Guyana, with 65% of the respondents

being males while the other 35% being females. The sample size had ages that

ranged between 14 to 21 year old students.

Factors that have been considered as contributors to violence at

secondary schools both in Dominica and Guyana, includes the involvement in

gangs related actives, peer pressure, bullying, drugs use, domestic abuse, media

and film and to a lesser extent students being unloved or cared for.

From the many factors that influence school violence respondents to the

questionnaire revealed that in Dominica 48% of the students identified bullying as

the prime cause of violence, whereas in Guyana 50% identified gangs as the

prime cause of violence. This shows a contrast in trend of the causes of violence

among student of the two countries. Other factors such as the use of drugs

when compared between the two countries shows that, 21% of Dominica student

indulge in drug use, compared to 13% of their Guyanese counterpart. This

represents an 8% increase in consumption of drug use by Dominican student

over the Guyana student.

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Peer pressure has also emerges as a significant factor that influence

violence at secondary schools. The severity of the influence of peer pressure

which ranges from high to very high is summed up to be 84% in Dominica, whilst

compared to Guyana 89%. Results of this findings is considered comparable

between the two schools, thus indicating that teen (peers) do have either

negative or positive influence on each other, which is generally a reflection of the

behaviour pattern of the students.

Other issues that affect students behaviour or cause the influence of

violence that have been examined from the data collected were domestic abuse

media and films including the unloved uncared for. This data was jointly assess

for both of the samples.

Domestic abuse emerged as a leading cause which influences violence

among students. Home environment played an important part in students’ lives

and the results suggest that if home is a frightening, abusive, violent, neglectful

environment then this will be reflected in the behaviour.

Media and films were the next major cause influencing violent. This also

imply that when exposed to violence through movies, television, video games

etc. and becomes insensitive to violence, make it easier to commit and accept it.

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Unloved uncared for was also rated as a contributing factor to violence in

schools. Students seeking attention can result in violent outburst by wanting

others to pay attention to them.

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Youth violent behaviour stems from varied causes, and it can be seen from

the concluded surveyed results, that some of the leading causes are linked to

peer pressure, bullying and gang related activities, whilst domestic abuse, media

and film, are underlying influences that attract those deviant or violent behaviour

among our students.

The survey results clearly extruded drug use among the Dominica students

at 8% over their peers from Guyana as an indicating factor towards violent

behaviour. However, bullying represented the prime cause of inciting violence in

Dominica sample school, while gang related incidence being the major cause of

violence among students in Guyana sample school. Also cause for concern was

the fact that domestic abuse, media & film including unloved and uncared for

were significant causes.

In conclusion, the consequences of violent behaviour has its long term

effect on both perpetrator and victim alike, especially the victim who bear the

scars of violence for a life time. Through this research project a clearer insight

into the cause of violence has been achieved, it is therefore the researcher

though that all necessary actions should be encourage to sensitize students of

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the dangers of school violence, and the need to use their positive peer influence

to foster better relationship among themselves.

Based on the above review and the need to curb or eradicate school

violence, the researcher hereby recommend that the following be implemented;

School program that targets anti-social behaviour Adopt zero tolerance approach to violence at school Involve students in spearheading anti-social activities Provide rewards to students who shows behavioral improvement

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Boodram, A. (2010, March 29). Dealing with school violence needs political will.

Retrieved from Stabroeknews :

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/features/03/29/dealing-with-school-

violence-needs-political-will/

Bowerman, T. (2013). How to Deal With School Violence. Retrieved from

Guyana Chronicle Online.

Corinne David-Ferdon, P. a. (2012). Striving To Reduce Youth Violence

Everywhere (STRYVE):. Retrieved from The CDC’s National Initiative to

Prevent Youth Violence:

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/stryve_foundational_resource-

a.pdf

Education World. (2011). Where Is Your School Goin. Retrieved from Education

World.

Etienne G. Krug, L. L. (2002). World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva:

World Health Organization.

Meadows, R. J. (2010). Understanding Violence and Victimization. New Jersey:

Prentice Hall.

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Stabroeknews. (2010, April 1). Dealing With School Violence. Retrieved from

Stabroeknews.

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APPENDIX

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Cover letter

Castle Comfort

Dominica

Dear Sir /Madame,

I am Joan Jean Jacques a student at the Dominica State College Faculty of

Education, pursuing an Associate Degree in Secondary Education. I am currently

undertaking a course in Social Studies, ED1 (Caribbean Issues). One of the

requirements to complete this course is for me to carry out a survey on a Social

Issue that affects education in the Caribbean. My investigation will be based on

the topic “Understanding the causes of violence in schools”. In order to carry out

this survey I hereby solicit the assistance of your school. I am therefore asking

you to answer the following questions on the questionnaire which will help me to

collect information and to make an informed analysis of the topic.

Please be assured that all information provided will be managed in a strictly

confidential manner and all respondents will remain unidentified.

For any further questions or clarifications you may contact the Dominica State

Collage at telephone number 1-767-440-3533.

Thank you for you co-operation.

Respectfully

Joan Jean Jacques

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Survey Instruments

Dominica State College

Faculty of Education

ED1 Caribbean Issues

Associate Degree in Secondary Education

Data Collection Instrument

SURVEYQUESTIONNAIRE

The purpose of this questionnaire is to understand the impact of violence at our

secondary schools.

Place a check mark at the box that best match your response.

1 Student’s Profile

Gender Male Age 10-13

Female 14-21

2 How often do violence occur at your school?

Very Often Not often Moderate

None

3 How often do you witness violence in your community?

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Very Often Not often Moderate

None

4 Which of these factors contribute most to violence at your school

Gangs Drugs Bullying Over

crowding

5 What is your reaction towards bullying at school?

Fight back Report to teacher do nothing

6 Indicate with whom violent stem from at school

Student/Student Teacher/Student

Student/Outsider

7 who do you consider to be perpetrators of violence at school

Parents Teacher Student

Outsider

Please answer questions based on rating 1 very-high, 2 High, 3 Average, 4 Low, 5 very low.

8 How do you rate substance abuse as a contributor to violence at schools

1 2 3 4 5

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9 How do you rate peer pressure as contributor to violence at schools

1 2 3 4 5

10 Rate violent incidence as disrupting classroom teaching atmosphere

1 2 3 4 5

11 Rate intolerance among teen as cause of violence

1 2 3 4 5

12 Rate jealousy among teens as a cause of violence behaviour

1 2 3 4 5

13 Which of these factors would most likely contribute to violence at schools

Strongly agree disagree uncertain agree

Domestic abuse

Media & Film

Unloved uncared for

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UPDATE: Stabbing at Pierre Charles Secondary School

Dominica News Online - Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 3:06 PM

Pierre Charles Secondary SchoolPolice are investigating an incident at the Pierre Charles Secondary School (PCSS) on Friday that left the security guard and one student nursing stab wounds.

According to Vice Principal of the PCSS Francis Jno Lewis, at about 12:30 p.m. during the annual Fun and Frolic day at the school, a security officer was stabbed in “his back and stomach area,” and a male student who tried to assist him was also injured.

The student and security officer were taken to the Grandbay Hospital for treatment.

“At about 12:30 p.m. the principal’s office was informed that there were persons loitering on the school compound. The vice principal instructed the security officer to escort the loiterers out of the school compound. About five minutes later the security guard returned to the office and informed the vice principal that he was attacked by two persons,” Jno Lewis reported.

“A young man involved in the attack had fled the scene and a young lady, from another secondary school was detained in the office by school personnel and the police was called in to investigate. The police detained the young lady and she was taken to the Grandbay Police Station” he stated.

Jno Lewis said following the incident, a brief assembly was held and the school continued its normal activities without further incident.

He said he has since submitted a report to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development.

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UPDATE: NECS student in police custody

Dominica News Online - Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 at 11:40 AM

One young man is assisting the police with investigations into a stabbing incident that occurred during a sporting activity in a northern community.

On Tuesday afternoon, at about 1:30pm, students of the North East Comprehensive School (NECS) were on the Londonderry Playing Field, engaged in sporting activities, when a fracas developed between two students.

The scuffle resulted in one student being stabbed on the head, left arm and left arm pit. He was transported to the Marigot Hospital where he was given primary health care.

DNO can now confirm the student who was stabbed is from the village of Concord.

According to the North Superintendent in charge of the north Duke Severin, the alleged assailant is currently in police custody.

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