Submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Planning and Administration of the University of Zululand, 1996. / This study investigated the management of staff-employer conflict in schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The researcher has identified various approaches to conflict management in schools and has indicated implications of each approach in staff employer relations and in the education of students. The research has also highlighted, through a careful application of content analysis of cases of conflict, the significance of useful conflict management and resolution methods. Examples of these approaches are consensus and collaboration. Furthermore, the study has offered a review of the Education Labour Relations Act (Act 146 of 1993). This Act is pertinent to conflict management in South Africa. Finally, the research recommends that effective approaches to conflict management be used by superintendents of schools, principals and the Department of Education to facilitate the satisfaction of needs of people involved including those of students.