Investigating the frequency, causes and results of school vandalism according to the views of secondary students and teachers

The aim of the current study was to explore the frequency, causes and results of school vandalism according to the views of secondary students and teachers. The study was conducted at three secondary schools in three different towns (Altındağ, Çankaya and Mamak) in Ankara as the location of school is thought to have influence on the frequency and causes of school vandalism. In the framework of the study, the views of 397 students and 59 teachers regarding the frequency, causes and results of school vandalism were taken via questionnaires developed by the researcher. The data were analyzed by using percentage and frequency tables and Cramer's V correlation (association) coefficient. The results indicated that male students are more likely to get involved in vandalistic acts. Moreover, as the grades of the students increase, the probability of committing school vandalism increases. The most frequently occurring type of vandalism was found to be "giving harm to desks and tables" while the least frequently occurring type of vandalism was "taking friends' or school's materials home without permission". It was also found out that students basically conduct vandalistic acts for seeking joy and fun. According to students and teachers, school vandalism causes the other students to aspire to behave like vandals. It was also found out that school location showed a significant association with the frequency of some vandalistic acts and several causes of school vandalism. The findings of the study were discussed with the relevant literature. Keywords: Vandalism, school vandalism