Causes of conflicts in schools according to the school administrators’ perspective

Abstract

A person spends a significant part of his life in social relationships and interaction. People with different ideas and values live their lives in accordance with these values. It is natural when in a group of people with different characters and visions some misunderstandings and disagreements occur. These disagreements may cause conflicts between people. Conflicts that arise in schools are of great importance and require prevention. It was noticed that the topic of conflicts also affected some schools in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.

This article examined the causes of conflicts in schools, according to the school administrators’ perspective in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk, the Republic of Kazakhstan. Data were collected through the use of «Personal information form» and « Questionnaire identifying the causes of conflicts». The questionnaire for “Identifying the causes of conflicts” consists of 33 points concerning conflict situations occurring in schools. The study was conducted in 30 schools in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. 99 school administrators took part in the study. When analyzing the data, a quantitative research method was used. The result of the study showed that, according to the school administrators’ perspective, the causes of conflicts in schools “in most cases” are the following 6 points: “personal hostility of the teacher towards the leader”, “teacher leaving work without permission”, “frequent lateness of the teacher to the class”, “personality differences,” “teachers grouping against the leader,” and “teachers avoiding face-to-face interactions with the leader.”

The research value and importance of this work are represented by the data obtained as a result of the study, which contribute to the prevention of conflicts in schools and the creation of a healthier organizational environment in schools in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. Based on the results of their research, the authors offered some recommendations for eliminating conflict situations that arise in schools.

Keywords: school administrators, conflicts, conflicts in schools, causes of conflicts in schools.