Bullying in trade schools

Abstract

The aim of this survey was to investigate the phenomenon of bullying in state Trade Schools in Malta. A sample of 507 students was selected (376 boys and 131 girls) from Grades 3 and 4 from the six trade schools. Results showed that about 28% of the students were involved in serious forms of bullying either as victims or as bullies. The most common types of bullying among these students were: calling names, threatening, kicking and rejecting other students. The study also sought to investigate the influence of students' age, gender, and parents' occupational status on the extent and nature of bullying. Few ways of coping with this problem are considered and discussed. It is hoped that this study is useful in understanding better this problem and its dynamics, thus serving to help bullies and victims alike who both suffer in different ways.