Abstract:

Conflict among teachers may occur in the workplace of the school environment and may lead to negative impacts both for teachers and school. Therefore, school principals should be capable of identifying and enacting effective conflict management.

Conflict management among teachers in Cyprus is a problem that has not been thoroughly examined by researchers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sources that lead to conflict among primary teachers in Cyprus, examining the role of the principal in an effective conflict management and conflict resolution, as reported by teachers.

A quantitative survey was conducted among 676 primary teachers. Data were collected using a questionnaire constructed by the researcher and distributed to all primary schools in Limassol and Paphos districts in Cyprus. Teachers were asked about the frequency of conflicts that occur during the school year, the sources and causes of conflicts and the role of the principal on effective conflict management.

Conflicts among teachers in primary school occurred few times in the semester. Some of the major conflict sources were: class allocation, subject allocation, teachers’ absences, teacher’s replacement due to absents, personal differences (perceptions, values, opinion) and ineffective communication among teachers. Principal’s effective conflict management had a positive effect on establishing and maintaining successful communication among teachers and enhancing building mutual trust and cooperation. On the other hand, ineffective conflict management affected negatively the school climate by increasing stress levels for staff. In addition, principal’s communication skills, transparency, sincerity, integrity and empathy were found to be some of the major characteristics that empowered principals in effective conflict management. Most of the time conflicts were resolved with principal’s interference.

This is an area that has not been extensively researched and therefore findings from the study enabled the researcher to form a nuanced understanding of the frequency, the sources and causes of conflicts and the ways conflicts can be resolved in the context of Cyprus by mapping the effects of principals’ support in the process of managing conflict in schools.

Keywords:

Conflict management, conflict among teachers, principal’s role.