SOCIAL LEARNING AS A STRATEGY FOR COUNSELLING AGAINST SCHOOL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

School violence poses a significant challenge to the educational system in Nigeria, negatively impacting students' well-being and academic achievement. This paper explores the potential of social learning strategies for counselling interventions to address school violence in the Nigerian context. Drawing upon some principles of social learning, that underscore reinforcement, imitation, observation as important in shaping behaviour, this study proposes applying counselling approaches informed by social learning to arouse positive behavioural transformation and check school violence in Nigeria. The paper examines the prevailing forms of school violence in Nigeria and considers the contextual factors contributing to its occurrence. By providing a clear and comprehensive definition of school violence, the study lays the groundwork for discussing the potential effectiveness of social learning theory-based counselling interventions. Furthermore, the paper explores practical implications and challenges by analysing existing research and relevant literature; this study features the importance of adopting a multi-faceted approach that integrates counselling, educational strategies, and community involvement to foster a safe and supportive environment in schools in Nigeria. In the long run, this paper aims to contribute to developing evidence-based practices and policies that can excellently address school violence in Nigeria, enhancing students' well-being and instructive experiences.