Intervention Measures in Conflict Management in Boarding Secondary Schools in Western Province, Kenya

Abstract: The use of intervention measures in conflict management is an important element of peaceful running of a secondary school. It assists individuals and groups in better understanding and dealing with conflict as it arises in all aspects of their lives. The purpose of this study was to explore the intervention measures in conflict management in boarding secondary schools in Western Province, Kenya. The descriptive survey research design was used. The population of the study comprised 1602 teachers in 89 public boarding secondary schools in Western Province, Kenya. The respondents comprised teachers in public boarding secondary schools in Western Province. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of schools, deputy headteachers and teachers from schools in Western Province. The population was divided into homogeneous subgroups and a simple random sampling in each subgroup was done. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, document analysis and interviews. In order to ascertain content and face validity, the questionnaires and interview schedules were given to experts who matched all the items with the research questions to ascertain whether the instrument actually measured all that it was supposed to measure. The reliability of the instruments was determined through the test retest reliability of the instruments. Data was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentage. Data from in-depth interviews were audio taped and transcribed. The findings showed that …….. the concept of "conflict management" refers to an act and also a process of resolving disputes between two or more parties with the view of coming to a resolution. The significance of the study findings were: to provide greater insight to the administrators of secondary schools on the intervention measures in conflict management in boarding secondary schools. Furthermore, the findings of the study may help education policy makers, managers of schools, headteachers and teachers in providing guidelines on proper use of punishment in conflict management