Learners' experiences of educators' aggression in a secondary school in Gauteng

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