Strategic Leadership for Safer Schools: The Role of School Management Teams in Enforcing Discipline Through Anti-Bullying Policies

Abstract

Bullying remains a persistent and complex issue in public schools worldwide, with serious implications for students' emotional health, academic success, and overall sense of belonging. This study examines how School Management Teams (SMTs) contribute to the enforcement of discipline, by implementing anti-bullying policies in secondary schools. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, and policy document reviews across a sample of ten schools representing diverse educational contexts.  Participants included 30 members of School Management Teams (SMTs), 50 educators, 100 students, and 20 parents. The findings point to the role SMTs play in shaping how anti-bullying policies are carried out on the ground. Key enablers include proactive leadership, integration of policies into the broader school development strategy, and ongoing staff training. However, common challenges such as limited resources, inconsistent rule enforcement, and community attitudes that normalize bullying often undermine these efforts. The study concludes that SMTs are essential to fostering school cultures that reject bullying and uphold student dignity. For anti-bullying initiatives to succeed, leadership must be sustained, inclusive, and supported by both internal and external stakeholders. Practical implications include the need for targeted leadership development, comprehensive stakeholder engagement, and stronger institutional support systems to embed anti-bullying efforts within everyday school life.