Combating School-based Violence Using African Indigenous Knowledge Systems : Implications for Educational Safety

Using African epistemologies to understand contributing social and cultural factors around African school violence, this book investigates various kinds of school-based violence suffered by learners and teachers in order to further research into the impact of educational interventions on crime prevention in African schools.

Investigating various kinds of school violence including gender-based violence and gang violence, the book uses African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the philosophy of Ubuntu for example to tackle important concerns surrounding school violence, social cohesion, community engagement and role of education in fostering sustainable communities. Chapters demonstrate a qualitative research approach that encompasses empirical and conceptual studies to provide an in-depth exploration of violence in educational settings; the book draws on human experiences and emotions, as well as teachers’, learners’, communities’ and other relevant stakeholders’ perceptions of school violence.

This highly interdisciplinary volume will be of immense value to scholars, researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of sociology of education, philosophy of education and educational psychology. Curriculum developers involved with module design may also find the volume of use.

Mfundo Mandla Masuku is Associate Professor in Development Studies, School of Social Sciences, The University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Nomakhosi Nomathemba Sibisi is Lecturer in Criminology and Forensic Studies, Bio-Psychosocial Perspectives, and Correctional Theory and Practice, The University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.