Investigating Bullying as a Violation of Human Rights among Students in Ghanaian Senior High Schools

Abstract

This study examined bullying as a form of violence among Ghanaian Senior High School students. The problem identified was that notwithstanding Ghana Government`s intervention in promoting and defending children`s rights through Human Rights Education, coupled with the remarkable efforts being made by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) in enlightening the citizenry of their rights and freedoms, much violence is prevalent among students in Ghana. The main purpose of the study was to ascertain the extent to which students violate the fundamental human rights and freedoms of their fellow students. Descriptive survey and quasi-experimental pre-test/ post-test control group design were adopted for the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was applied to arrive at a sample of 180 for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect the data. The test-retest method was employed to determine the reliability of the instrument. The data collected were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research question raised for the study was analyzed using frequency distribution and percentages. The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance, using a one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings of the study revealed that the treatment package administered to the experimental group produced a positive effect because bullying diminished among the participants who were exposed to treatment than those in the control group. It is, therefore, recommended that co-operative and pro-social ways of thinking must be promoted among students. In this way, the school ethos which contains elements that often foster intimidatory behaviours can be changed.

Keywords: Bullying. Violence. Violation. Human Rights. Human Rights Culture.