Authors: Grace Irira (University of Arusha), Mussa S. Muneja, ThD (University of Arusha)
Abstract: The study aimed to analyze the prevalence rate of School Based Bullying. The study was done at Monduli District Public Secondary Schools, in Tanzania and it used descriptive survey design which falls in a quantitative research approach. A standardized closed-ended questionnaire was used in data collection from students of the schools. The population of the study was 121 representing respondents from each Public School in Monduli District. The study applied systematic sampling to identify students for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics by employing mean, frequencies and percentages. The findings showed that various forms of bullying took place in schools under investigation including stealing other learners’ property, beating, tarnishing others’ image by drawing on building walls, spreading disinformation, excluding others, taunting others and bad nicknaming. The study recommends that in order to lower the prevalence rate of bullying in schools, the ministry of education ought to provide a clearer guidance at school-level on dealing with school violence and particularly bullying behaviors. Measures taken against bullying would include anonymous reporting mechanism and corresponding stricter punitive consequences. The study further recommends that the government should provide continuous capacity building workshops with teachers on how to deal with and eradicate bullying behaviors in schools.