Answer to Question #239163 in Management for Esko

Question

1.Identify and describe the common causes of conflict in schools.[15 Marks]
2. Include references and reference lists for the above question.

Answer 1

Conflict is a form of competitive behavior between people or groups. It occurs when two or more people compete over perceived or actual incompatible goals or limited resources (Boulding, 1962, cited in CDR, 1986: 2).

Mullius (2010) reckoned the causes of school conflict as follows: firstly, school conflicts can be caused by limited resources. Most school resources are limited and as a result, teachers and principals struggle to have their own share. Therefore the greater the limitation of resources than usually, the greater the potential for conflict.

Secondly, Poor communication network results to school conflicts. Quoting (Iwuagwu, 2011), Poor communication network is highly regarded as one of the main causes of conflict in schools. School principals who introduce revolution without first educating the teachers and students of the nature and foreseen benefits of the revolution in the school cannot expect genuine cooperation and participation from them. And this can only lead to conflict. In addition, when decisions are not distributed effectively, sources of conflict can therefore be created for or by teachers and students.

Task inter-dependence is another cause of school conflict where by when the task of a teacher is dependent upon the work of another teacher; there might be chances for conflict. Also if the work of a department in the school is dependent upon the output of another department, a similar situation could arise. If reward or punishment systems are perceived to be based on keeping up with performance level, then the potential for conflict is even greater.

Overlapping authority causes conflict in school when two or more teachers or departments claim authority for the same activities or tasks, conflict is likely to occur.

Lastly, inequitable treatment that is a teacher’s perception of unjust treatment in the operation of personnel policies and practices or in reward and punishment systems can lead to tension and conflict.

References

Mullins, S. (2010). Rehabilitation of Islamist terrorists: Lessons from criminology. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, 3(3), 162-193.

Isabu, M. O. (2017). Causes and Management of School Related Conflict. African Educational Research Journal, 5(2), 148-151.

Adeyemi, M. B. (2000). Teaching conflict resolution to social studies students in Botswana. The Social Studies, 91(1), 38-41.