The management of diversity in schools — A balancing act

The authors contend that diversity and its counter-pole universality as such cannot be managed in the normal sense of the word. What can be managed though is the balance between these two poles. Over-emphasis of the one to the detriment of the other will in the long run somehow be penalized. A conceptual-theoretical framework is provided in which the delicate ontic balances that have to be maintained is explained (pedagogically managed). The results of three focus group discussions in which the participants express their opinions about these balances and the possibility of managing diversity are reported and interpreted.

Research highlights▶ The onticity of diversity needs to be understood for effective management. ▶ The management of diversity is viewed as the maintenance of ontic balances. ▶ Awareness of diversity should be balanced by attentiveness to universal interests. ▶ A theoretical framework is provided for managing the diversity-universality balance. ▶ Practical guidelines for managing diversity emerge from the findings of focus groups. ▶ Ontic imbalances are tolerated to a point; affirmative events then occur to restore the balance.