Managing Physical Abuse among Learners in a Girls High School in KZN - Tapa blanda

This study focuses on the manner in which the School Management Team (SMT) manages physical abuse among learners, providing guidelines on how to act in a proactive and constructive manner. A qualitative approach was used and the research was designed as a single case study. National education specific law and policy regulating learner misconduct, the SMT’s management of physical abuse of learners as well as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Basic Education’s policies were used to benchmark my evaluation of current management practices with regard to physical abuse among learners against such laws and policies. The research findings on the current management practices, factors that contribute to physical abuse, reasons and effects of physical abuse and the role of the SMT in handling physical abuse were based on an analysis of School A’s Code of conduct for learners and its Discipline Policy and information extracted by means of interviews.

Arthie Brijraj is an educator with over 25 years experience in managing discipline in a high school setting. She is currently serving as a Head of Department, actively involved in policy-making and strategic planning at school level and in chairing disciplinary hearings, internally as well working with other schools as an external chairperson.