Conflict Management Strategies of Secondary School Principals in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the conflict management strategies of secondary school principals in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Four research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design.
The population of the study is comprises of all the public secondary school principals and teachers in Ebonyi State. The sample for the study is 350 respondents drown from 20 secondary schools in two education zones of the area of the study.
The instrument for data collection was a structured question titled conflict management strategies instrument. The instrument was validated by three experts and the suggestions of the experts were duly incorporated into the final draft of the instrument for data collection.
The reliability coefficient of the instrument was computed using Cronbach Alpha reliability technique and a reliability coefficient of 0.74, 0.73, 0.80 and for the four clusters 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively was obtained. The data for the study was collected with the help of four research assistants.
The data generated for the study was analyzed using mean and standard deviation for answering the research questions while t-test statistics was used for testing the research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.
It was discovered from the findings that conflicts in schools are caused by misunderstanding, not taking instructions, poor communication, and lack of commitment, poor management and differences in opinion.
It was recommended that Government should look into the issue of workers’ welfare to avert the incessant industrial actions, and provide adequate facilities in schools, evaluation standards should be designed for promotions and awards to deserving personnel to promote job satisfaction for schools personnel and that principals should design proper plans and follow correct procedures in managing conflict in their school.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page………………. i
Approval page….. ii
Certification page………….. iii
Dedication………………… iv
Acknowledgements….. v
Table of Contents…………. vi
Abstract……… ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study……… 1
Statement of the Problem…………. 8
Purpose of the Study…………. 9
Significance of the Study………… 9
Scope of the Study…………… 10
Research Questions…………….. 11
Hypotheses………….. 11
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Conceptual Framework………………………… 13
Concept of Conflict………………….. 13
Concept of Management
Concept of Conflict Management………….. 20
Concept of Strategies…………………. 21
Concept of Conflict Management Strategies………………… 23
Concept of Secondary School……… 27
Theoretical Framework…………. 30
Contingency theory by John Woodward (1958)……….. 30
Systems theory by Ludwig von bertanlaffy (1936)………….. 30
The Marxist conflict theory by Karl Marx (1958)………………… 31
Review of Empirical Studies………………….. 32
Related studies on nature of conflict in schools………………….. 32
Related studies on causes of conflict in schools…………….. 34
Related studies on application of conflict management strategies in schools. 35
Related studies on preventive measures to avoid conflict in schools.. 36
Summary of Literature Review………… 38
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Design of the Study………………… 40
Area of the Study……………… 40
Population of the Study…….. 41
Sample and Sampling Techniques…. 41
Instrument for Data Collection………….. 41
Validation of the Instrument…………. 42
Reliability of the Instrument………………. 42
Method of Data Collection………… 43
Method of Data Analysis…….. 43
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER STUDY
Discussion of findings………… 50
Conclusion…………… 55
Implications………… 56
Recommendations………….. 57
Limitations….. 58
Suggestion for further Study………………. 58
REFERENCES……………….. 59
APPENDICES 63
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Since 1842, when the early missionaries established the first school in Nigeria, education has grown into a large and complex social organization. Most school systems like other social systems, now experience conflict.
Conflict refers to perceived or experienced incompatible differences within the individual or between two or more individuals, which may lead to some or other form of opposition (Kroon, 1991). Gilman (2002) on the other hand states that conflict is the natural tension that arises from differences.
Furthermore a conflict exists whenever people are in disagreement and opposition (Lussier, 2000). Similarly, Griffin (1990) views conflict as a disagreement between two or more individuals or groups. Moran (2001) sees conflict as an expression of hostility, antagonism and misunderstanding between the staff members.
Conflict is inevitable and often good, for example, good teams always go through a “form, storm, norm and perform” period. Getting the most out of diversity means often- contradictory values, perspectives and opinions.
However, one can define conflict as all forms of opposition, disagreement, friction between two or more parties and it manifests in the forms of arguments, protests, demonstration, aggression and other destructive behaviours.
REFERENCES
Adebayo, O. (2007). Tertiary institutions must be funded. Vanguard News, January16, 2007, P. 35.
Achoka, J.S. (1990). The role of the secondary school principal in Quebeck English Schools, (Unpublished master’s thesis). McGill University.
Adeyemi, T.O. (2009). Principals’ management of conflicts in public secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria: A critical survey. Educ. Res. Rev., 4(9): 418-426.
Akanji, T. (2005). Perspectives on workplace conflict management and new approaches for the twenty-first century. In Albert, I. O. (Ed) Perspectives on peace and conflict in Africa essays in honour of general (Dr.) Abdu salami A. Abubakar Ibadan: John Arches Publishers.