Bullying Practices as a Form of Barrier to Pupils Learning Outcomes of Upli Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Bullying is a widespread challenge in many schools and communities and has a detrimental influence on school and students' right to learn in a secure and healthy environment without any worry and fear. It is a problem that affects all pupils, the bullies, the victims, and the persons who witness the act of violence.

The researcher, an elementary grade teacher, has been alarmed to see young bullies in the classroom. Likewise, she has observed how educators struggle to stop or even just control it. Bullying in the classroom prevents students from learning and teachers from teaching (Beane, 1999). Generally, the practice of bullying may have an impact on bully students’ learning outcomes. This serious problem has led her to come up with this study.

METHODS

This study adopted a descriptive survey design in its attempt to determine, describe, and analyze the bullying practices done by the bullies and their learning outcomes. Bullies were identified through the anecdotal record given by the school guidance advocate. This anecdotal record contained the name of the pupil, his/her grade and section, and adviser. It also included the brief anecdote of the pupil as well as the observer, date, and place of incidents. The study was entirely based on a survey using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results of a survey questionnaire on the extent of bullying practiced by the bullies revealed that most of the bullies had a moderate and high extent of bullying practices. Bullies also had satisfactory and fairly satisfactory in terms of their learning outcomes. With respect to the bullying practices of the bullies as a form of barrier in their learning outcomes, it was statistically significant based on the computed chi-square, since the value of 7.02 was higher than the critical value of 5.991 at 0.05 level of significance.

DISCUSSIONS

Since the findings denote that bullying practices are forms of a barrier to pupils’ learning, it is evident that bullying is a complex and multi-determined issue. As such, in-depth and integrated strategies and programs are needed to address the problem. The school, through the help of teachers, expects to give more enrichment activities to bullies to block bullying incidents. It is also necessary to provide guidance and counseling to children, particularly to those who do not have their parents with them. Implementation of intervention programs for bullies is also needed to prevent bullying from school and to enhance pupils' learning outcomes.