Abstract
M.Ed.
This research project deals with an investigation of the sources and forms of conflict at tertiary institutions. Two institutions, namely the Rand Afrikaans and Vista universities were selected for the study. The research is necessary in view of the substantial financial and human resources put into the tertiary education sector, the need for a stable tertiary education sector which will be better able to meet the human resource and developmental
needs of the country, the need for transformation at the institutions as well as the
importance of the full participation of all the stakeholders and other interested parties in the maintenance of a worthy tertiary education sector. Currently the tertiary institutions are frequently troubled by turmoil and in many cases large amounts of money and valuable academic time are lost.
From the semi-structured interviews conducted with students, administrators,
academics and management, as well as from the literature consulted, the
following are some of the important findings of the research project:
Conflict is inevitable;
Conflict contributes to the development of the institutions in many ways;
The chief sources of conflict are perceptions held by the stakeholders about
each other, as well as the limited or the total lack od communication;
The tendency by stakeholders not to learn from the past;
The lack of a common vision for the institution among all the stakeholders.
The researcher recommends closer co-operation and more consultation between
the stakeholders. It is also recommended that the stakeholders should work hard
at avoiding the recurrence of conflict around the same issues.