CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF PRINCIPALS AS PERCEIVED BY TEACHERS IN IMO STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT This study is aimed at investigating the various strategies adopted by principals of secondary schools in Imo State in handling conflicts. Four research questions and three hypothesis guided the conduct of the study. Questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from three educational zones out of the six educational zones of the state. 720 teachers were randomly selected. T-test statistics was employed to test each hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that various levels of conflicts exist in secondary schools. They include intra-personal, inter-personal, community related and inter-organizational conflicts. The most prevalent level of conflict is intra-personal, inter-personal and intra-unit/departmental. The study revealed that the conflict management strategies that are regularly used by principals are dialogue, communication and disciplinary committee. While those that are rarely used are avoidance and third party. School location influences principals choice of management strategies. On the other hand, gender has no significant difference in principals choice of conflict management strategies. In view of this, it was among others recommended that to reduce conflicts in schools, the ministry of education and the secondary education Management Board could train school principals in the acquisition and proper adoption of conflict management strategies. The suggested training could take the form of conferences, seminars, and workshops on the subject matter from time to time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page iApproval Page iiCertification iiiDedication ivAcknowledgments vTable of ContentsviList of Tables ixAbstract x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION  Background to the Study 1Statement of the Problem  7Purpose of the Study 9Scope of the Study 9Significant of the Study 10Research Questions 11Hypothesis 1
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Conceptual Framework 13Theoretical Framework 52Empirical Studies 56Summary of Literature Review65
CHAPTER THREE: METHODDesign of the Study 68Area of the Study 68Population of the Study 69Sample and Sampling Techniques70Instrument for Data Collection 71Validation of the Instrument 71Reliability of the Instrument 72Method of Data Collection 72Method of Data Analysis 73
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA Summary of the Findings83
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS  AND RECOMMENDATIONDiscussion of Findings85Conclusions 90Implications of the Study 90Recommendations 92Limitations of the Study 94Suggestion for Further Studies 95References96Appendices  101 LIST OF TABLESTable 1:Mean and Rank order of levels of conflict74Table 2: Mean and rank order of conflict management strategies 76Table 3:Mean and rank order of the influence of school location 77Table 4:Mean and rank order of conflict management strategies ofmale and female principals. 79Table 5:T-test analysis of the response of teachers on the levels ofconflict that exist in secondary schools in Imo State.81Table 6:T-test of teacher's response in the conflict managemen strategies found among secondary schools in urban and rural areas in Imo State.82Table 7:T-test of teachers on conflict management strategies of maleand female principals in Imo state secondary schools.82