Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 4(12), pp. 1044 - 1047
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041202
Reprint (PDF) (165Kb)

Violence in Secondary Schools of the North West Region of Cameroon

Gladys Ngoran ^*
Department of Guidance and Counselling, Higher Teacher Training College Bambili, University of Bamenda, Cameroon

ABSTRACT

The study examined the various forms of violence dominant in Cameroon schools, its perpetrators and their reactions to the practice, through a questionnaire survey administered to 500 adolescent students within the age range of 11 to 20 years. This sample was drawn from two secondary schools in the North West Region of Cameroon, (one day and the other boarding). We worked from the premise that violence was a common practice but subject to sanctions in Cameroon schools as in other parts of the world. Its' practice even in the face of deterrent school sanctions has persisted despite its negative impact on personality development. Data from the survey was analyzed by use of simple percentages with a comparison of its practice between boys and girls and between types of schools. Both physical and verbal forms of violence were reported to be dominant in the schools, with no significant difference in either of them. More boys than girls were equally reported to be involved in practicing acts of violence, with a high rate of violence on boys by boys followed by violence on girls by boys. Although sanctions on violence exist and are similar in both types of schools, its dimension was indicated to be higher in boarding schools than it is the case in day schools. Given that violence is dominant in the schools despite the sanctions administered by school authorities, the study suggests a home and school-based counseling approach that favors orientation against the practice in Cameroon schools. This can be reinforced through a national education policy that discourages violence.

KEYWORDS
Violence, Adolescent Students, Sanctions, Negative Impact, Types of Schools, Forms of Violence, Acts of Violence, Counseling Approach

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Gladys Ngoran , "Violence in Secondary Schools of the North West Region of Cameroon," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 4, No. 12, pp. 1044 - 1047, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041202.

(b). APA Format:
Gladys Ngoran (2016). Violence in Secondary Schools of the North West Region of Cameroon. Sociology and Anthropology, 4(12), 1044 - 1047. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2016.041202.