Module 7 - The Management of Schools

Introduction
The purpose of this module is to enable heads to gain an understanding and insight into the nature and dimensions of school management, and thus help them work effectively with the various groups and bodies which have a part to play in the good management of each school.

Let us first of all remind ourselves of the distinction between leadership, management and administration. A good head would be capable of all three and particularly his / her key role as a leader. We will deal with this in much greater detail in Module 8 “The Leadership of Schools”. In simple terms, the leader creates the vision and engages the staff to fulfil that vision. The manager creates order and structure to oversee and undertake the process and the various stages required to achieve the task. The administrator deals with the day-to-day issues that are required for the whole process to run smoothly, meet the requirements of the law and achieve the desired results. In short, what will be done, how it will be done and the doing!

In this Module, we will examine the process of management. There are many people and organisations involved in the management of a school and they all have their part to play. We will not only examine the role of headteacher in this but also look at the responsibilities of other outside stakeholders such as the parents, the children, the regional departments of education, the community and the central ministry.

Individual study time: 18 hours

Objectives
After working through this module, you should be able to:

§ identify the various bodies which have a role to play in the management of schools
§ understand the legal and other bases for school governance
§ distinguish between different levels of educational management
§ have an insight into the role of the central Ministry of Education in the operations of your school
§ understand the rationale for having a Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
§ have insights into the constitution, powers and roles of the PTA
§ indicate the way and manner in which staff, pupils and various school committees assist with the management of the school
§ understand the concept of school and community links and identify some of the bodies which have links with your school and the contributions they make to the school
§ identify possible areas of school-community conflict and ways and means of minimizing them
§ understand the rationale for community inputs into the school curriculum.

Units
The module is divided into six units.

Unit 1: Defining the parameters of school management 2 hours
Here you will recognise the parameters of school management, consider the context of school governance in the management of your school, and outline what the concept of school governance embraces.

Unit 2: Legal basis of school governance 3 hours
This unit deals with the legal basis of school governance. You will recognise a purpose of, and difference between, education acts and ordinances, bylaws on education, legislative and executive instruments on education, policy statements and administrative instructions concerning education.

Unit 3: School managers and PTAs 4 hours
In this unit, you will examine the relationship of school management and PTAs, identify their responsibilities and roles and suggest ways in which you, as head of the school, can use this relationship to improve the performance of your school.

Unit 4: Relationships between schools and other agencies 3 hours
Here you will consider the relations of your school with other agencies, including issues such as defining levels of education management and the relations of your school with regional and state authorities, as well as with district authorities and other agencies involved in the management of your school.

Unit 5: The role of teachers, pupils and parents in school management 3 hours
In this penultimate unit, you will recognise the various individuals and groups within your school who are partners with you, the head, in its management.

Unit 6: The role of the community in school management 3 hours
In this last unit, you will recognise the importance of working with local and extended community groups and the stakeholders of the school in order to provide an effective partnership with them which is in the best interests of all concerned.