Parents alert! the link between bullying and learning disability confirmed

A recent study conducted at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) showed a relation between the bullying behaviour and learning disabilities among the middle school students in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The study was prepared by researcher Fatima Ibrahim as part of the requirements for obtaining a Master of Learning Disabilities from the College of Graduate Studies, AGU. The results of the study were based on a sample of 432 male and female students in the lower secondary level. The results indicated that 30pc of the students classified in the learning disabilities group exhibited bullying behaviour. The rates of bullying among ordinary students was 19pc. Many studies attribute school bullying to the lack of disciplinary policies and clear penalties against bullying behaviour, the lack of conflict resolution programs in school, and the weak role of student counselling. Many school factors foster bullying behaviour among students, said the researcher, including factors associated with some teachers, such as violent or provocative practices against students, or weakness of character, as well as tension within the school and the resulting frustration within students.