ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER GOOD COMMUNICATION BY THE PRINCIPAL CAN BE A CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR ENHANCEMENT OF TEACHERS’ JOB PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KISII COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: This study assessed whether good communication by the principal can be a conflict management strategy for enhancement of teachers’ job performance in selected public secondary schools in Kisii County, Kenya. The study was guided by the constructive controversy theory.
Statement of the Problem: Despite efforts made in Kenya to resolve conflicts in schools, such as conducting seminars and workshops around the country on the need to use human relationships to minimize conflicts, conflicts in secondary schools, especially in Kisii County, are still on the increase. Several schools in the county have experienced riots, strikes, and aggressiveness among students; violence against teachers, vandalism by students, arson, assault, students sneaking out of school, fighting among students, absenteeism, drug abuse, and examination malpractices.
Methodology: The study used a mixed-methods research approach and a descriptive survey design. The study targeted the County Director for education, school principals, and teachers in the County’s public secondary schools. The target population consisted of 354 public secondary schools and 3,940 teachers. A sample size of 22 school principals and 357 teachers was selected using stratified random sampling, simple random sampling, and purposive sampling methods. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. To ensure validity, experts in conflict management were requested to take the instrument through a sound scrutiny to ensure that the items of the research instrument were consistent with the study's objectives. Reliability was tested using the split-half technique, and a reliability coefficient of 0.825 was realized. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) and descriptive statistics, specifically frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze quantitative data. The data was presented using tables, graphs, and pie charts. Qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic approach and presented in the form of narratives and direct quotations.
Result: The findings of the study revealed that the principals’ communication, creativity, motivation, and team spirit as strategies in conflict management positively influenced the teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools in Kisii County.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the communication strategies used by principals were useful in explaining teachers’ job performance in Kisii County, Kenya.
Recommendation: The study recommends a related study to be conducted in other counties in Kenya to establish other conflict management techniques used by principals and their influence on teachers' job performance.
Keywords: Communication, principal, conflict, management, strategy, enhancement, teachers’ job, performance.
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