Conflict management strategies of school heads in some selected senior high schools at Kwabre East Municipality in Ashanti Region

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine conflict management strategies of senior high school heads in the Kwabre East Municipality. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Mixed-method approach was employed. The study involved head teachers and teachers. Purposive sampling was used to select head teachers. Teachers were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview schedule. Cronbach Alpha was used to analyze the pilot test and it achieved reliability coefficient. Frequency and percentages were used to analyze the data. The major findings of the study were that generally; conflicts were less effectively managed by heads. It was revealed by the study that overload of work, inadequate training and lack of cooperation of teachers and students were identified as major challenges associated with conflict management strategies in the senior high schools. It was recommended that Ghana Education Service should organize workshop on conflict management strategies every academic year to equip heads with conflict skills they need to manage conflict. The heads should make available copies of school rules and a regulation to every student during first year to enable them familiarize themselves with the rules. Heads should be fair in resolving conflict in the schools.