Assessment Of Factors Influencing Management Conflicts In Church Sponsored Public Secondary Schools In Kenya

Abstract A great number of schools in Kenya have been experiencing a general wave of management conflicts which have mainly affected church sponsored public schools. The study sought to assess the factors influencing management conflicts in the church sponsored public secondary schools of Kipkaren division of Nandi North District. The study employed descriptive survey design. The study targeted 170 BOG members 17 head teachers 17 deputy head teachers and 17 sponsors representatives all totaling 221 respondents. A census sample survey for all respondents was used. This consideration was made because the target population was small and hence the population was easily handled. A total of 200 respondents returned the questionnaires which comprised of 17 head teachers 17 deputy head teachers 17 sponsors representatives and 149 BOG members. This represents 90.5 rate of return. Data was mainly collected using questionnaires. The head teachers and sponsors representatives were also interviewed to give in-depth findings. The instruments were prepared by the researcher and established reliability using Cronbach Alpha coefficient which found a reliability coefficient of 0.89 which was a strong enough measure of reliability. Similarly face and content validity was established with the assistance of experts in social science research methodology. The descriptive statistics such as frequencies means and percentages were used to analyze data collected. The findings revealed the major factor influencing management conflicts in schools was religious differences. The study recommends that a representative team should be appointed in the schools management that seminars conferences and symposiums are carried out in educational management from time to time and courses in conflicts and human relation be included in the curriculum for teachers to prepare them for conflict management.