Philosophy of education and strategies for avoiding conflict in tertiary institutions in South East States of Nigeria

Abstract

Philosophy of education as education in action is concerned with ideal practices in education. Avoiding conflict is one of the ideal practices in education. People with different interests and aspirations have to interact in the collective efforts of achieving tertiary education goals. Hence, conflict is inevitable in tertiary institutions. Strategies for avoiding conflict become imperative in tertiary institutions. The study examined strategies for avoiding conflict in tertiary institutions in South East States of Nigeria in the light of philosophy of education. Three research questions were formulated to guide the researchers in conducting the study. The population of this study consisted of all the management leaders and union leaders of 31 tertiary institutions in South East States of Nigeria. The sample size of this study was 120 management leaders and union leaders of 5 government – owned tertiary institutions in South East States of Nigeria selected using simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a researchers-developed 15-item questionnaire structured on a 4-point scale of Strongly Agree (4), Agree (3), Disagree (2) and Strongly Disagree (1) in order to answer the three research questions. The study found out that factors such as lack of synergy, poor communication, pride, selfishness and poor motivation promote conflict in tertiary institutions in South East States of Nigeria. Major problems caused by conflict in tertiary institutions in South East States of Nigeria include disruption of academic programmes and hostility. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that management leaders and union leaders should promote peace in tertiary institutions through reasonable synergy.