Abstract
M. Ed.
Adolescence is a phase in human development that is synonymous with change,
namely, physical, cognitive, emotional and social changes. Educators start playing
an important role in the lives of adolescents, and the school as an institution of
learning is a place to promote social, emotional and intellectual growth that fosters
the development of a positive self - concept in adolescent learners. The researcher
was interested in the experiences of learners who witness educator aggression in
the schooling environment and the impact this has on the adolescent learner and on
the education system as a microcosm of the South African society. Current research
on educator aggression indicates that aggression is detrimental to the emotional,
social and mental health of learners, because aggression begets aggression.
Guidelines are proposed to support both educators and learners who experience
educator aggression, to facilitate their mental health.
The research objectives were as follows:
to explore and describe the learners’ experiences of educatoraggression
in a secondary school in Gauteng; and
to describe guidelines to assist learners and educators concerning
educator aggression in order to facilitate their mental health.
The data collected was used to formulate effective guidelines, designed to assist the
adolescent learners and educators in a secondary school in Gauteng. Through this
approach the researcher was able to gain insight into the experiences of learners
related to educator aggression.