EFFECT OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS TRAINING ON INTER-PERSONAL CONFLICT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background to the Study

School is a social unit established by government or members of the society as a formal agency of education where people learn about the custom, attitudes and ways of doing things in the society. Ifidon (2005) defined School in sociological context as the place where the culture of the people is transformed from one generation to another. Members of the wider society, including the operators of the educational system are governed by norms and laws that direct the affairs of an individual member. Such laws, according to Omotayo (2005) are meant to compel the entire members of the society to exhibit character that will conform to the societal laws and order. In order to ensure peaceful co-existence in schools, the authorities often make rules and regulations that guide and control the behaviour of their students with a view of setting high standards of discipline conducive to the education process.

Effective administration of Nigerian secondary school system, to a large extent, depends on a cordial and cooperate working relationship among principals, teachers, proprietors and students. The harmonious working relationship, mutual implementation of decisions, and peaceful academic environment will be jeopardized, if the school and members of the school community are often in conflict (Abanyam, 2001). Conflict is inevitable in any organization. It grows from simple to complex, from non-violent to violent depending on the gravity. Conflict is a situation where there is disagreement between two or more people.It can be intrapersonal, interpersonal, intergroup or intragroup. Zakari (2006) believed that interpersonal conflict can be simply described as a clash between two individuals who are unwillingly or unable to fulfill expectations of

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each other. Interpersonal conflict refers to the representation of incompatibility, disagreement, or difference between two or more interacting individuals Ofem (2008). David and Michael (1999) in their book defined interpersonal conflict as ―An expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, and interference from the other party in achieving their goals‖. Interpersonal conflict is an interaction of interdependent people who sense disagreement and opposing interests, incompatibility and the possibility of interference, and negative emotion from others.

EFFECT OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS TRAINING ON INTER-PERSONAL CONFLICT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS, NIGERIA