Assessing the effectiveness of conflict resolution measures in public senior high schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya district

Abstract

This research sought to assess the effectiveness of conflict resolution measures in secondary schools using a study of selected senior high schools in the Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The target population for the research comprised all employees (both teaching and non-teaching staff) and students of four selected schools. These four schools were Barekese Senior High School, Osei Tutu Senior High School, Toase Senior High School and Nkawie Secondary Technical School. The study used descriptive research design with a quantitative method, executed through questionnaires, which were handed out to 80 student respondents and 40 teacher respondents selected through random sampling technique. Findings indicated that such factors as social and cohabitation issues, discrimination from the top student leadership (captains, prefects etc), feelings of superiority of some classes or form levels over others and emotional and relationship (love affairs) issues were more likely to breed or instigate conflict than other factors. The conclusion made was that the instituted conflict resolution measures were mostly not effective especially in the view of students and therefore required better measures to resolve conflicts. Based on these findings it is recommended that senior high schools should take steps to institute effective conflict prevention measures on school campuses as a first step to effective conflict resolution and also strengthen school rules and regulations to serve as deterrents to conflicts initiation