Violence in schools in Seke district: Influences and implications for social policy

Abstract

The study looked at how violence impacts on the education system in  private colleges in high density areas. Two hundred (200) primary and high school pupils participated in the exploratory qualitative study.  Questionnaires were used to collect data and SPSS was used to analyse it. Social learning theory guided the study. The study established that while violence exposure has been associated with diminishing attention,  deteriorating intellectual performance and regressions in school  achievement, it also has some positives. It heightens the level and forms of youth violence subsequently hardening the youth in as far as violence and aggression are concerned. It also established that youth violence is also driven by amongst others, attitudes of the school authorities, school policies, drug use and the continued over-population of urban communities with mixed cultures and social practices.

Key terms: violence, youth, pupils, aggression, violence exposure, interventions