Causes and management of school related conflict

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the causes and management of school related conflict. The review of relevant literature shows that conflict is an essential and unavoidable human phenomenon because where there is human interaction, there is a likelihood of personal likes and dislikes. These agreements and disagreements among individuals and groups in the school sometimes lead to conflict. Conflicts are neither constructive nor disruptive but the ways these are handled in the school make them either positive or negative. Causes of conflict include difference in perceptions, limited resources, overlapping authority amongst others; while conflict management strategies include accommodation, avoidance, competition and collaboration. Based on this discussion, the paper suggests that there should be regular staff meetings, good communication network and the teachers’ and students’ code of conduct should be made available to all staff and students so as to know their limit and avoid conflict.

Keywords: Conflict, school, management.