Conflict Management and Its Impact on Teachers’ Performance of Secondary Schools of Wolaita and Dawro Zones, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Conflict is an essential and unavoidable human phenomenon because where there is human interaction; there is a likelihood of personal likes and dislikes. These agreements and disagreements among individuals and groups lead them to conflicts. Conflicts are neither constructive nor disruptive but the ways these are handled make them either positive or negative. Schools, like other human organizations, are prone to one or other type of conflict. Various conflict management strategies are adopted for handling conflict; the most important among these are, mediation, negotiation, avoidance, collaborating etc. The purpose of this study is to explore the nature of conflicts in schools, its causes and techniques adopted for the management of conflict in selected secondary schools of wolaita and Dawro zones. Descriptive survey method was employed to collect data from ten selected schools of wolaita and Dawro zones in South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region(SNNPR). A literature study was also conducted. Besides both quantitative and qualitative research approaches using a questionnaire and interviews as data gathering techniques was applied. On the other hand, interviews were conducted with principals of relevant schools. Quantitative descriptive statistics were compiled as part of the empirical study. Findings were analyzed to identify how principals manage conflict in the schools. Conclusions drawn from the study show that principals do not manage conflict effectively and as a result it is on the rise in schools. Recommendations were made for the improvement of practice based on the findings.

Keywords: Conflict management, Teachers' performance and Secondary schools.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-13-02

Publication date:May 31^st 2019