Developing Schools in a Conflict-free Environment

This study investigates the common conflict resolution strategies of Principals among public secondary schools in the Department of Education (DepED) Region XII, Philippines. Development of schools with respect to curriculum, staff, resources, learning environment, and community-building were also explored so as to precisely define their current conditions (e.g. strengths and weaknesses). As revealed, the most frequently applied strategies in resolving disputes in schools were collaboration, problem solving, smoothing, compromising, mediation, and use of authority. Only few of the school administrators managed conflicts using accommodation, litigation, competition, and avoidance. The teachers bared a relative higher assessment than the Principals on the handling of these management tricks. Moreover, most of the school development measures were related to the usage of these strategies. This goes to show that asserting appropriate strategy in dealing with familiar challenges in school will definitely stimulate positive educational changes. In a nutshell, school development is better achieved in a conflict-free environment inspired by a strategic administrator.