CONFLICT MANGEMENT STRATEGIES OF SCHOOL LEADERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF LIBAN ZONE, ETHIOPIAN SOMALI REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate conflict management strategies of school leaders in the secondary and preparatory schools of Liban zone. In doing so, attempts were made to identify the types and cause of conflicts, conflict management strategies used by school leaders Hence, the sample population used in the study consisted of 44 randomly selected teachers using simple rondom sampling techniques and 16 department heads ,eight unit leaders,eight principals, four PTA heads and four educations managers were taken by using available sampling techniques .Qustioniare and interview were tools used for the data collection and the collected data were analyzed using statistical tools Mean, standard deviation and the independent sample t-test The findings of the study indicated that communication problems, self difference, difference of individual interest and organizational goals and, bad work environment, and the incapability of school leaders to deal with conflict, power struggle, competition for scarce resource, poor performance evaluation were some of the common sources of conflicts which frequently occurred in secondary schools. In addition, forcing, compromising and avoiding were found to be the most frequently used techniques of managing conflict.The study revealed that the outcomes of dysfunctional conflict which can effect school leaders were break relationship with teachers, loose trust and confidence, inferiority complex, fail to lead the school ,wastage of time ,instability and insecurity of work . In general the findings revealed that the majority of the school leaders lacked the basic knowledge for managing conflicts. Therefore, for the effectiveness of managing conflict processes and for the purpose minimizing dysfunctional conflicts, it is recommended that school leaders and teachers to be given seminars to equip them effective conflict management strategies.