The Efforts of Guidance and Counseling Teachers in Addressing Bullying Behavior Among Grade VII E Students at UPTD SMPN 16 Kupang

Abstract

Bullying among junior high school students harms their psychological well-being, social relationships, and learning. This study aims to describe the efforts of guidance and counseling (BK) teachers in handling verbal and physical bullying among Class VII E students at UPTD SMPN 16 Kupang. A descriptive qualitative approach was used. Data were collected through interviews with nine informants: four BK teachers, three victims, and two perpetrators, and were analyzed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results show that bullying took the form of verbal bullying (mocking, name-calling, insulting, harsh words, and mocking parents’ names) and physical bullying (pushing, pinching, hitting, and taking belongings). BK teachers handled the cases by gathering information from the students involved separately, giving classical guidance and information services, providing individual counseling to victims and perpetrators, and collaborating with homeroom teachers, subject teachers, and parents. These findings show that the BK teacher’s role is important in preventing and handling bullying at school.