NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR CONFLICT MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS UNDER SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVICE AREA OFFICE, INSPECTION ZONE 1

Abstract

This study aimed 1) to examine the current and desired conditions of conflict management among educational administrators in secondary schools under the Office of Secondary Education Service Area, Inspection Zone 1 and 2, and 2) to investigate the priority needs in conflict management of educational administrators under the same jurisdiction. This survey research was conducted due to the importance of school administration in contemporary contexts, where educational administrators face multifaceted conflicts related to personnel, management, resources, and policy. Effective conflict management is a critical factor that ensures smooth school operations, promotes organizational efficiency, and fosters collaboration among all stakeholders within the educational environment. The study sample consisted of 356 teachers from schools under the Office of Secondary Education Service Area, Inspection Zone 1, during the 2024 academic year, selected through a multi-stage sampling method. The research instrument was a rating-scale questionnaire, which was validated for content validity (IOC) and reliability .95. The statistical methods used for data analysis included mean, standard deviation, and the Modified Priority Needs Index (PNI Modified) to analyze the needs.

The findings revealed that 1) the current condition of conflict management among educational administrators was at a moderate level, indicating certain limitations in achieving positive outcomes in managing conflicts, while the desired condition was at the highest level, reflecting clear expectations among personnel and stakeholders for continuous improvement and professional development. 2) The priority needs index of conflict management was PNI_modified = .50, demonstrating a relatively high need for development, particularly in areas such as compromise, conflict avoidance, and coordination among staff. These findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted strategies to enhance administrators’ skills and strengthen collaborative practices, which are essential for improving the overall quality and effectiveness of school administration in the future.