Conflicts in social institutions (schools)

Conflicts in families, workplaces, social institutions (schools) and generally in social life usually start because of inappropriate management or poor solution of issues of structure. In the psychological literature the conflict means confrontation of opposing interests, views, aims when two persons disagree on acts performed by one of them. Conflicts arise out of inner or outer struggle related to thoughts, emotions or acts. Personal, interpersonal and intergroup conflicts may cause collective disharmony, since people differ greatly in origin, views, values and needs. All life long people learn to cooperate and solve conflicts, but the major learning occurs at school - the most important stage of individual’s socialization. As the process of communication is participated by persons with differing needs, motives and interests, which cannot be realized simultaneously, conflicts are unavoidable. The conflicts may arise between persons (learner and teacher), in the group (among learners), between groups (between learners and teachers). So far conflicts within school community have been hardly investigated theoretically, though in the pedagogical practice this field is really urgent. The relations affect the microclimate of community, condition the learners’ desire to learn and directly influence the results of education. The modern pedagogues, such as G. Navaitis and A. Kalvaitis paid most heed and time for the problem of conflicts and for the conflicts arising in school community, as well as for possible ways of their solution. Problem of investigation This study deals with conflicts at school. The word “conflict” itself already makes a problem. Urgency of problem Urgency of this problem lies in the fact that the conflict situations not only disturb the process of learning, but, as showed by practice, the learners and pedagogues usually choose an inappropriate way of solution. Consequently, further communication is tinted negatively and may even tell on inner confusion of personality. Subject of investigation Conflicts within school community and methods of their solution. Purpose of investigation The purpose is to investigate the conflicts arising within school community and their causes. The study deals with conflicts between learners and pedagogues, their consequences and the most acceptable methods of their solution.Švietimo akademijaVytauto Didžiojo universiteta