Teachers’ Perceptions of Peer Bullying in Algerian Middle Schools

Abstract

Globally identified as one of the most common forms of violence among students in the school context , peer bullying have been in the centre of attention for both the educative and the scientific communities for the past decades ; due to the significant consequences that it causes to the victims .In this context , teachers play an influential role in the efforts to combat the ever growing complex and serious problem as well .the aim of the study is to examine teachers’ perceptions, beliefs and concerns about peer bullying in Algerian Middle schools, in connection with three variables , which are teachers gender, age ,and professional background . Mixed method approach was used to gather data through online self reported questionnaire and face to face semi- structured interviews conducted in kaddour Belarbi middle school in Sidi Ali, Mostagaem. Twenty-seven teachers of English (70% female, 30 % male) from different middle schools and professional backgrounds completed an online questionnaire regarding their perceptions of peer bullying. They also provided background information. While four teachers (one male, three females) from the same middle school set to be interviewed. Findings indicate that teachers perceived bullying as a problem in their schools , with no significant differences between male and female teachers in this regard. However, female teachers expressed more concerns about their ability to cope with bullying believing that schools should be more committed .Teachers suggestions included raising awareness, developing anti-bullying programs and intensive training for school teachers to combat bullying.