| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate headteachers' conflict management styles used in building teachers' teamwork in. Kaplamai Division, Trans-Nzoia East District, Kenya, specifically to; determineheadteachers' management styles used to enhance teamwork, determine how headteachers' personal characteristics such as gender and age influenced conflict management styles; Establish the effect of headteachers' conflict management styles on the development of teamwork among public secondary school teachers and; determine the challenges faced by headteachers on applying conflict management styles in secondary schools in the Division. The study was guided by a theory proposed by Schermerhorn in 2001. A sample of 24 headteachers and 120 teachers was selected from the 24 secondary schools in the division using simple random sampling. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics assisted by SPSS computer program version 17.0
The study found out that alongside the teaching job, teachers engaged in running shops, kiosks, matatus and furthering education which had a negative effect in the because it led to absenteeism, lateness, and excessive lying among teachers consequently affecting the teaching profession in the division negatively. Nevertheless, headteachers employed collaboration, accommodation and compromise management styles to enhance teamwork. Headteachers' personal characteristics such as gender and age had an influence on conflict management styles. Headteachers' age also did not influence the conflict management styles. Teamwork was not compromised a fact that was confirmed by all of the
headteachers.
On the challenges faced, the study found out that some teachers were unable to open up while others taking personal offence making it difficult for the headteachers to analyze the bottom of the matters in question. The findings indicated that many headteachers had not attended any conflict management course and the lengths of conflict management courses were inadequate.
The study recommended that the Ministry of Education and TSC develop a policy to guide teachers on their involvement in business activities and in furthering of education. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Education should organize workshops and seminars for teachers on how to effectively balance their extra activities and those of the school without compromising teamwork. It further recommended that headteachers be trained on administration matters and especially on conflict management in schools, and that counseling and guidance facilities for teachers be developed. The study recommended a country wide study to establish the level of teachers' involvement in business activities. It further recommends a comprehensive research on the causes of declining performance in KCSE in public schools within Kaplamai division in Trans.,.Nzoia District. | en_US |
