" Bullying is not a conflict, but a form of peer abuse that results in long-term consequences for the victim. These may include low self-esteem, poor academic performance, and can also result in their seeing suicide as a natural outcome "
Dr. Dan Olweus, Norwegian pioneering researcher in the field of bullying prevention
About
About Dr Brenda Matthews
Dr Brenda Matthews is a South African educationist who gained her Ph.D in 2016 with her Thesis 'An Evaluation of a Bullying Prevention Programme – the Olweus Approach'.
Based on the research done towards her Ph.D, she has formulated a programme that articulates the prevailing state of bullying behavior at any particular school, and then makes recommendations for intervention strategies that would enhance the school's ability to provide support to learners, educators and parents.
The motivational evidence of the original study shows that the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of children and youth should not be deemed solely the responsibility of the individual, but also the responsibility of the society in which these children and youth find themselves.
Education
The aim of the Matthews Programme
The initiative recognises that the aim of various intervention programmes is to reduce and eradicate bullying and violence at schools within the anti-bullying sphere.
However, while instilling a culture that opposes the prevalence of bullying, the programme also strongly speaks to the bullying prevention aspect, by promoting positive learner engagement at classroom and individual level, for a period of 12 months.
Programme Objectives
1
Increase awareness of the bullying problem & knowledge about bullying in schools;
3
Assist the school to develop clear rules against bullying behaviour;
2
Achieve active involvement from teachers & parents, & demonstrate to the adult population of the school, effective ways to deal with bullying behaviour;
4
Provide support and protection for the victims of bullying as well as to provide support to the bully.
Articles
Dr. Brenda Matthews and her team as well as the principals, staff and learners wish to thank all the sponsors for their assistance in making the Bully/Victim assessments possible at the following schools during 2019:
Littlewood Primary
Mountview High
Lavender Hill High
Bonteheuwel High
Kannemeyer Primary
Die Duine Primary
West End Primary
Glendale High
Aloe Junior High
Fizantekraal High