Abstract:
The main aim of this study was to investigate the conflict managements in secondary
school of South West Shoa Zone.Hence, the study employed descriptive survey research
design, which is supplemented by mixed approach. The study was carried out in 12 randomly selected secondary schools of south west shoa zone. A total of 280 individuals participated in the study. Among them 230 teachers were included as a sample through simple random sampling technique especially lottery method, 22principals,10 supervisors,
and 18 administration workers were included by purpose sampling. Questionnaires were
the main instrument of data collection. Interviews and documents analysis were also utilized to substantiate the data collected through the questionnaire. The analysis of the
quantitative data was carried out by using frequency, percent, and one way ANOVA.
While data obtained through open ended questions, and interview were qualitatively analyzed. The result of the study revealed problems of staff and students discipline, lack of
participatory decision making, communication barrier, lack professional commitments,
inadequate resource for staff and students, unfairness do to ethnic and ideological difference on part of management, inappropriate implementation of rule and regulation, poor
evaluation system of performance and the incapability of educational managers to deal
with conflicts were some of the common sources of conflicts which frequently occurred in
secondary schools. The interpersonal, intrapersonal, interagroup and intergroup conflict
type were also identified in this study. In addition, compromise, avoiding, and problems
solving, and using PTA committee were found to be the most frequently used techniques
of managing conflict. The involved of school community such as teachers, supervisors
and administration workers to resolve conflict were low. In general the findings revealed
that the majority of the school principals were not play a role expected from them due to
lack of the basic knowledge how of managing conflicts. Therefore, for the effectiveness of
managing conflict processes, assist in management of conflicts, for the purpose of getting
balanced view of conflicts, special training for managers, teachers and administration
workers on conflict resolution strategies in schools and displaying high co-operative behaviors recommended.
