Exploring the Root Causes of Violence in Secondary Schools in Cameroon: A Grounded Theory Perspective of Students from Six (6) Schools in Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon.

Abstract

School violence has emerged as a critical challenge affecting educational development and learner well-being globally, with increasing concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Cameroon has recorded increase incidents of school violence. Despite this surge, there are no empirical studies examining their underlying causes particularly from students’ perspective and response approaches remain administrative.
This study explores the root causes of school violence in with focus on secondary schools in Cameroon using a qualitative grounded theory approach. To achieve this, the study researcher engaged 17 focus group discussions involving335 students drawn from six secondary schools, including government, mission, and lay private institutions in the North West Region. Open-ended questionnaires were used to provide the participants with the opportunity to freely share their perspectives on the subject. The data collected through the focus group discussions was analysed using standard guidelines for grounded theory studies employing open, axial, and selective coding procedures.
Findings from the study reveal that school violence is provoked by a complex interaction of economic, personal, psychosocial, and school-related factors. Psychosocial factors particularly jealousy, anger, peer influence, and strained relationships emerged as the most dominant contributors. Based on these findings, this study concludes that school violence is largely relational and emotionally driven, underscoring the need for a more holistic and preventive responses rather than just administrative actions. The study recommends that address violence, policymakers, school administrators, and curriculum developers should proactively adopt a more holistic approach composing of psychosocial support, value-based education, and systematic monitoring mechanisms which are missing in most cases.