CONFLICTS RESOLUTION MECHANISMS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the conflict resolution mechanisms in public secondary schools in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Four research questions and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised of all the public secondary school principals and teachers in Ebonyi State. The sample for the study is 260 respondents, out of the total population of 5228 respondents. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled conflict resolution mechanisms questionnaire. 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 null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. It was discovered from the findings that cause of conflicts in schools include: individual aggressiveness, authoritarianism, frustration due to uncoducive working atmosphere, poor motivation and stress from the job, misunderstanding, not taking instructions, poor communication, lack of commitment, poor management and differences in opinion. Conflicts in schools are manifested through destruction of public properties, blocking the highways and preventing others from attending to their work peacefully, writing of petitions against authority by staff, students/community riots, teachers strikes, verbal hostility expressed in for of rebukes and defamation of character, demonstration and carrying of placards and of songs. Conflicts encourage indiscipline, breeds non-charlant attitude to work, and adversely affects students’ performance and drag reputation of schools to mud. Conflicts could be resolved by involving both parties to a conflict in a discussion, involving teachers and student in decision-making; being fair and firm, and holding regular meetings with the PTA. Based on the finding the researcher recommended that educational administrations and planner should appreciate the causes of conflict and put in place mechanism for handling then when they come up. Government at all levels should reduce and avert conflict by providing good working environment in the schools.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Approval ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgment v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
List of tables vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 9
Purpose of the Study 11
Significance of the Stu 11
Scope of the study 13
Research Questions 13
Hypotheses 14
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Conceptual Framework 16
- Concept of Conflicts 16
- Concept of Resolution 21
- Concept of Conflict Resolution 22
- Concept of Conflict Resolution Mechanisms 24
- Concept of Secondary Schools 26
Theoretical Framework: 52
- Georg Simmel Social Conflict Theory 52
- Fisher and Keashly Contingency Theory 53
Review of Related Empirical Studies 54
Summary of Literature Review 57
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Design of the Study 60
Area of the Study 60
Population of the study 61
Sample and Sampling Techniques 61
Instrument for Data Collection 61
Validation of the Instrument 62
Reliability of the Instrument 62
Method of Data Collection 62
Method of Data Analysis 63
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Summary of the Findings 69
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, IMPLICATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, LIMITATIONS AND SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER STUDY
Discussion of findings 71
Conclusion 73
Recommendations 75 Implications of the study 74
Limitation of the study 76
Suggestion for further studies 76
References 79
Appendices 84
APPENDIX A: Corrected instrument 86
APPENDIX B: List of public secondary schools in Ebonyi state 93
APPENDIX C: Reliability test 101
List of tables
Table 1: Mean rating and standard deviation on the causes of conflicts in public secondary schools in Ebonyi State 64
Table 2: Mean rating and standard deviation on the nature of conflicts in public secondary schools in Ebonyi State 65
Table 3: Mean rating and standard deviation on the impacts of conflicts on the administration of public secondary schools 66
Table 4: Mean rating and standard deviation on the management strategies can be adopted for the resolution of conflicts in public secondary schools 66
Table 5: Summary of t-test analysis for hypothesis One 67
Table 6: Summary of t-test analysis for hypothesis Two 68
Table 7: Summary of t-test analysis for hypothesis Three 68
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE
Background of the Study
Individuals or groups may depend on one another for information, assistance, or coordinated actions. Such inter-dependence may foster either cooperation or conflict. Conflict connotes disagreement, distortions inconsistencies and antagonisms existing in a particular system. It could equally mean discord in actions, lack of concordance in opinion in order to achieve one’s own goal.Conflict is experienced within the individual, between individuals, among groups, states and sometimes transcend to other creatures. The fact that this phenomenon exists in all creation makes it difficult to understand and almost impossible to resolve successfully, especially when its causes are natural. When conflict is resolved there is bound to be peace. The major concern has been how to give meaning to this phenomenon, diagnose its structure, locates its causes and attempts finding solution. In spite of all the efforts, by the Government conflict appears to defy solutions by drawing individuals at daggers points, groups as well as institutions at war and nations at loggerheads. It has been a central concern not only to these mentioned categories but also to international community and development agencies. According to Onu (2005), One major reason for the concern about conflict resolution and transformation is because if it becomes protracted, conflicts can wrap up a society, economies or regions where they are situated in complex emergencies which can in turn be extended to global environment, and become obstacle to peace and progress. For any organization to perform effectively, interdependent individuals and groups within the organization must establish relationships across organizational boundaries, between individuals and among groups.