Abstract:
The major objective of this study was to identify the classroom management strategies applied by the school
teachers to create an effective and conducive teaching-learning environment. Based on a survey research
design framework, sample of 36 teachers were randomly selected from the Post Graduate Diploma in
Education Programme batch of 2010/2011 of the Open University of Sri Lanka. Apart from direct
observation of their classroom teaching based on a piloted observation schedule, a focus group discussion
were also executed to collect relevant data which were later analysed using simple descriptive data analysis
methods. The study revealed that (a) the teachers were aware of and used different strategies to manage
their classrooms; (b) they adopted contingency approach to address their classroom managerial issues and
problems; (c) primary teachers showed better competencies than their secondary level counterparts in
managing their classroom; and (d) most of them maintained the physical environment of the classroom
satisfactorily. It also transpired from this study that quite a number of teachers tend to ignore students’
behavioural problems in their classroom management.