The high proportion of conflicts destructively managed or
‘dealt with’ may be explained by several factors such as the
students’ developmental levels, social skill deficiencies, and the
lack of learned and modeled alternative strategies. These findings
concur with results of research conducted in schools in the United
States of America and New Zealand. Both highlighted contending
(the use of force and aggressive verbal and physical tactics) as one
of the preferred management strategies used by students in conflict