Senior high school students' perception of sources of conflict in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa district of Central region, Ghana

Abstract

The study aimed at finding out students’ perception of sources of conflict in senior high schools. The study was a descriptive survey involving a sample size of 300 participants. This included 100 first year students, 100 second year students and 100 third year students in the two public senior high schools in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District of the Central Region in Ghana. Besides the literature search, a 43-item questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The questionnaires administered were 300 and all were retrieved for analysis. Five research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The research questions were answered on the basis of available data using descriptive statistics while the hypotheses were tested using t-test of independence. The findings of the study indicated that, there is no significant difference between male and female students perception of the sources of conflict they experience in the home and school. Differences exist between conflict sources perceived by students from high and low socio-economic backgrounds with adults. Peer group influences adolescent students’ development and this can either increase or minimize conflict among students and adults. These results have prompted the recommendations of a number of measures that can further enhance the management of conflict among students, parents and school authorities. What is of paramount importance in the recommendations is that parents and teachers should involve the adolescent students in the discussion of issues that affect their social lives.