,CMY3708 ASSIGNMENT 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) Semester 2
2025 – DUE 17 August 2025 ;100% trusted ,comprehensive
and complete reliable solution with clear explanation
Research Proposal
Case Study Research as a Qualitative Research Method
Title:
“Unpacking School Bullying Through the Lens of a Viral Video: A
Case Study of Thabela High School”
1. Introduction and Background
Bullying is a pervasive issue in schools worldwide, with far-reaching
social, emotional, and academic consequences. In the South African
context, the problem has become more visible and alarming due to the
increasing number of bullying incidents captured on smartphones and
widely circulated through social media platforms. These digital
exposures not only spark national conversations but also reveal deep-
seated problems in school environments—ranging from poor
disciplinary systems to a lack of psychosocial support for learners.
A particularly distressing example is the viral video from Thabela
High School, which shows a student being physically and verbally
attacked by fellow learners. The footage, which quickly circulated
online, triggered widespread public outrage and raised concerns about
school safety, learner discipline, and the failure of preventative
measures. The incident has prompted debates among educators, parents,
, policymakers, and the general public about how bullying is handled in
South African schools and whether current interventions are effective.
This case highlights the urgent need to move beyond surface-level
reactions and punitive responses. There is a critical need to understand
bullying from a holistic, qualitative perspective—examining not only
what happened but also why it happened, how it was experienced by
those involved, and how institutional and community structures
responded. The emotional trauma suffered by victims, the behavioural
context of perpetrators, and the actions (or inactions) of educators and
school leaders all warrant in-depth investigation.
This research aims to explore the social, psychological, and
institutional dimensions of bullying by focusing on the lived
experiences of learners, teachers, and school authorities at Thabela High
School. The study will examine the contributing factors to the bullying
incident, the impact of the viral video on school culture and community
perceptions, and the effectiveness of the school’s response mechanisms.
By employing a qualitative case study approach, the research seeks to
generate rich, contextualised insights that can inform more effective,
empathetic, and systemic anti-bullying strategies in South African
schools.
This study is particularly timely and relevant as it will contribute to the
ongoing discourse on violence in schools, learner safety, and the role of
digital media in amplifying school-based incidents. Through this focused
inquiry, the study will not only address the specific dynamics at Thabela
High School but also provide broader lessons applicable to similar
contexts across the country.
2. Research Problem
Despite the existence of progressive national education policies and anti-
bullying frameworks—such as the National School Safety Framework
2025 – DUE 17 August 2025 ;100% trusted ,comprehensive
and complete reliable solution with clear explanation
Research Proposal
Case Study Research as a Qualitative Research Method
Title:
“Unpacking School Bullying Through the Lens of a Viral Video: A
Case Study of Thabela High School”
1. Introduction and Background
Bullying is a pervasive issue in schools worldwide, with far-reaching
social, emotional, and academic consequences. In the South African
context, the problem has become more visible and alarming due to the
increasing number of bullying incidents captured on smartphones and
widely circulated through social media platforms. These digital
exposures not only spark national conversations but also reveal deep-
seated problems in school environments—ranging from poor
disciplinary systems to a lack of psychosocial support for learners.
A particularly distressing example is the viral video from Thabela
High School, which shows a student being physically and verbally
attacked by fellow learners. The footage, which quickly circulated
online, triggered widespread public outrage and raised concerns about
school safety, learner discipline, and the failure of preventative
measures. The incident has prompted debates among educators, parents,
, policymakers, and the general public about how bullying is handled in
South African schools and whether current interventions are effective.
This case highlights the urgent need to move beyond surface-level
reactions and punitive responses. There is a critical need to understand
bullying from a holistic, qualitative perspective—examining not only
what happened but also why it happened, how it was experienced by
those involved, and how institutional and community structures
responded. The emotional trauma suffered by victims, the behavioural
context of perpetrators, and the actions (or inactions) of educators and
school leaders all warrant in-depth investigation.
This research aims to explore the social, psychological, and
institutional dimensions of bullying by focusing on the lived
experiences of learners, teachers, and school authorities at Thabela High
School. The study will examine the contributing factors to the bullying
incident, the impact of the viral video on school culture and community
perceptions, and the effectiveness of the school’s response mechanisms.
By employing a qualitative case study approach, the research seeks to
generate rich, contextualised insights that can inform more effective,
empathetic, and systemic anti-bullying strategies in South African
schools.
This study is particularly timely and relevant as it will contribute to the
ongoing discourse on violence in schools, learner safety, and the role of
digital media in amplifying school-based incidents. Through this focused
inquiry, the study will not only address the specific dynamics at Thabela
High School but also provide broader lessons applicable to similar
contexts across the country.
2. Research Problem
Despite the existence of progressive national education policies and anti-
bullying frameworks—such as the National School Safety Framework
