A Comparative Analysis of the Perceptions of Zimbabwean Primary School Teachers and Children on the Prevalent Types of Conflict in the Primary Schools: Case Studies of Gweru and Shurugwi District Schools

Abstract

Conflicts in organisations are inevitable. There is therefore need for knowledge of various types of conflicts so that appropriate conflict resolution interventions are instituted. This study was a result of a realisation that heads and teachers in primary schools were hardly aware of the types of conflicts existing in their institutions. They could therefore not figure out appropriate strategies to mitigate those conflict types. The study focussed on the types of conflict that existed in order to institute appropriate intervention strategies. The study sample was 134 teachers, 120 pupils and the District Education Officer. The sample was purposively chosen. A qualitative research methodology was employed. A case study design was adopted. The major findings of the study were that conflicts in the primary schools comprised interpersonal conflicts, interdepartmental conflicts and intradepartmental conflicts. The study recommended the creation of a cooperative context after trying negotiation, resorting to peer mediation, resort to Job Expectation Technique (JET) and Role Analysis Technique (RAT) and Team building.