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The purpose of this study was to assess the strategies employed by head teachers in managing
conflict in Magu District. The objectives of the study were; to identify the types of conflicts
commonly found in secondary schools, to find out the causes of conflicts, to find out the
challenges facing head teachers and SBMs in conflict management, to find out the strategies
employed by head teachers in managing conflict and to find out the intervention measures to be
put in place to improve the management of conflict. The study was guided by Human Needs
Theory. The study employed mixed research method and was conducted using embedded mixed
research design. The data collection instruments were interview guide and questionnaires. Data
collected from the field were coded and entered into the (SPSS) program. Descriptive statistics
were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzes thematically. The
targeted population was 1347 respondents whereby the sample was selected using purposeful and
simple random sampling. Data was collected from 6 secondary schools where 6 head teachers, 6
school board chairpersons, 1 DEO, 136 students and 60 teachers were selected. The researcher
interviewed 6 head teachers, 6 school board chairpersons and 1 DEO. The following were the
findings that more than 50% of the respondents said interpersonal conflict between teacher students, students- students, teachers- head teachers was the common types of conflict in their
schools, more than 60% of teachers and students also said in their schools, conflict are caused by
poor working environment, abusive language, scarcity of resources, and poor academic
performance. Nevertheless, the study revealed that majority of the respondents more than 60%
said most of head teachers are not well trained on conflict resolution. Furthermore, the study
discovered that more than 50% of head teachers preferred negotiations, regular meetings,
transparency, collaboration, mediation and avoiding as the strategies for conflict management,
and more than 60% of the respondents suggested in-service training to be put in place for
improving the management of conflict in secondary schools. In conclusion therefore, there were
no specific strategies employed by head teachers in managing conflict rather most of them use
their own experience. If the knowledge of conflict management will be put into practice head
teachers will experience few conflict in schools. The study therefore recommended that;
teachers, parents, school heads, students and the communities should be made aware of the
negative effects of conflict on learning and teaching. |
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