Abstract:
This research is a survey is based on the role of the principal to manage the
conflicts in schools. Some changes are expected on principals' approaches to
management because approaches related to management are being changed
scientifically. It is an important role for the principals who are the head of schools to
manage the conflicts among the several individuals with distinct characters. For this
purpose 20 type – I schools, which consist of IAB and IC schools in Vadamaradchi
Education zone – Jaffna were selected. Using Stratified Random Sampling, 265
teachers, 20 principals and 20 deputy principals were selected. This was a mixed method
study because it is consisted of both Quantitative, Qualitative data. Collected data are
based on descriptive statistical method and presented in grids and graphs using the basic
methods of percentage and mean. Questionnaires for teachers and principals and semi
structured interview with deputy principals were used to collect data. The main objective
of this study was to identify the role of a principal in the conflict management in school
and propose proper solutions. It is easy to manage the conflicts at their initial stage.
Teachers welcome a friendly approach of principal to manage if those are identified at
early stages. Teachers welcome a friendly approach of the principal to manage the
conflict easily. Principals said that they did not get excited when they manage conflict.
A few principals seemed to have abilities to use the conflict to develop the schools.
Transparency in management and clear communication were best and basic tools to
manage the conflict. But frequently principals used their powers to get a solution for the
conflict. Principals transferred the teachers who had conflict with them frequently. These
are some of the strategies principals used in conflict management in schools.
