Effects of Bullying on the Academic Performance of Select Grade 9 Students in Coral na Munti National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Bullying in schools has become a worldwide phenomenon and a problem that can create negative effects for the general school atmosphere and for the rights of students to learn in a safe environment without fear. It can also have lifelong consequences both for students who bully and for their victims. As a teacher handling Grade 9 students, the researcher has observed that there were some students who experienced bullying. The researcher knows very well that students need a safe, comfortable environment in order to learn. If students are being bullied in school, then their attention do not focus primarily on learning. It is divided between academics and concern about negative social situations that are associated with school. In order to establish a safe environment where the students can thrive as learners, the researcher decided to inquire into a phenomenon that often prevents students from thriving-bullying. It is the hope and intention of the researcher that studying more about bullying, may lead to take measure in eradicating bullying in the research venue.

METHODS

The researcher used the descriptive method of research and the questionnaire as the main data-gathering instrument.

RESULTS

There were different bullying cases and incidents often experienced by the students such as teasing, threatening spreading rumors, harassing and the like. The bullying experiences significantly affected the academic performance of the students. The teachers and the students had similar assessment on the behavior of the latter at school. No difference existed between the assessment of the parents and students on behavior at home.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the results of the study the school principal should create a school safety team ideally made up of an administrator, guidance counselor, teachers, parents, and students that maintain responsibility for identifying a lead person to deal with bullying prevention. The proposed action plan which served as an instrument to remedy the school bullying was well-studied by the principal and the teachers before its implementation.