Teachers' Experience of Aggression in a Secondary School: Case study

Abstract

The study explored and described the experience of aggression on teachers by students in a secondary school. Participants were a purposive sample of 8 (males = 3, females = 5, language group= Afrikaans and English, range in years of experience = 4–29 years). We used qualitative exploratory research design for the study. Data were collected using individual phenomenological interviews augmented by detailed field notes. Analyses used mostly thematic coding. Results reflected that teachers experienced behavioural and attitudinal aggression from students. They perceived the aggression to be cyclical and self-perpetuating once initiated. They believed that a systemic barrier to constructive relationships exist.