Bullying one of the main reasons behind school dropouts: Survey

Bullying is one of the main reasons behind school dropouts, according to the Zero Dropout Campaign that conducted a national survey in 2024.

The survey seeks to understand South Africa’s education and dropout experiences.

It also found that financial strain, drugs and criminal behaviour are some of the reasons for the exodus among learners.

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Communications lead for the Zero Dropout Campaign Colin Wardle elaborates, “Criminal behavior was only 3% in terms of respondents, whereas drug abuse was only 9%. There were far more prevalent issues that speak to systemic challenges that need to be addressed by not just the Department of Basic Education but other stakeholders in government, particularly within schools, such as bullying and harassment, teenage pregnancy as well as academic difficulties.

But the fact of the matter is that most learners are actually struggling with really foundational issues such as academic challenges and not receiving enough resources or tutoring. And bullying and harassment in school, these also speak to systemic issues that are happening literally within classrooms.”