CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF PRINCIPALS AS PERCEIVED BY TEACHERS IN IMO STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS (#6580)

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. The 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, interpersonal, community related and inter-organizational conflicts. The most prevalent level of conflict is intrapersonal, interpersonal 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 i Approval Page ii Certification iii Dedication iv Acknowledgments v Table of Contentsvi List of Tables ix Abstract x
CHAPTER ONE:  INTRODUCTION  Background to the Study 1 Statement of the Problem  7 Purpose of the Study 9 Scope of the Study 9 Significant of the Study 10 Research Questions 11 Hypothesis 12
CHAPTER TWO:  REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE  Conceptual Framework 13 Theoretical Framework 52 Empirical Studies 56 Summary of Literature Review65
CHAPTER THREE:  METHOD Design of the Study 68 Area of the Study 68 Population of the Study 69 Sample and Sampling Techniques70 Instrument for Data Collection 71 Validation of the Instrument 71 Reliability of the Instrument 72 Method of Data Collection 72 Method of Data Analysis 73
CHAPTER FOUR:  PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA  Summary of the Findings83
CHAPTER FIVE:  DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION Discussion of Findings85 Conclusions 90 Implications of the Study 90 Recommendations 92 Limitations of the Study 94 Suggestion for Further Studies 95 References96 Appendices  101
  LIST OF TABLES Table 1:Mean and Rank order of levels of conflict74 Table 2: Mean and rank order of conflict management strategies 76 Table 3:Mean and rank order of the influence of school location 77 Table 4:Mean and rank order of conflict management strategies of male and female principals. 79 Table 5:T-test analysis of the response of teachers on the levels of conflict that exist in secondary schools in Imo State.81 Table 6:T-test of teacher's response in the conflict management strategies found among secondary schools in urban and rural areas in Imo State. Table 7:T-test of teachers on conflict management strategies of male and female principals in Imo state secondary schools.82