School Management
Concept of Educational Management
The
origin of the development of educational management as a field of study began
in United States in the early part of the 20th century. Development
in the United Kingdom came as late as the 1960’s. Herding wrote a Practical
handbook of School Management by Teachers.
(1) Some General Principle of Management Applied to the Problems of school
system Franklin Bobbit of the University of Chicago published an article in
1913. (2) Jesse Newton published Educational Administration as a “Social
Policy” (1934). (3) Koopman wrote Democracy in School Administration (1934).
Meaning of
Educational Management
Educational
management operates in educational organizations. There is no single definition
of educational management because its development has drawn heavily or several
disciplines like economics, political science and sociology.
Management is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people. School Management is a process of leading the school towards development through not only the optimum use of the human resource, physical sources principal sources and concept that help in achieving all the objective of the school but also the proper co-ordination and adjustment all of them so management mean the act of the getting people together to accomplished deserved goals. Its compress of planning, organization, resources leading or directing and controlling an organization (a group of one or more people or entitles) or effort for the purpose of accomplishing a goal. Educational management is a field which is concerned with the operation of educational organization. It is the process of planning, organizing and directing activities in a school, effectively utilizing human and material resources, in order to accomplish the schools objectives. School administration involves the arrangement of all school operations, from creating a safe learning environment to managing the school budget. School administrators, are the professionals who, as a whole, carry out these different administrative tasks that keeps a school running smoothly. At elementary, middle and high schools, school administration is typically led by a principle, and may also include assistant principal instructional co-ordinators, athletic disorders and other support staff. School administrators could also be superintendents, who help oversee multiple schools in district. Therefore in simple words managing the affairs of a school school management means running the school along the cleared educational policies Its takes into account all aspects of the school(policies, material and human resources, programmers , activities, equipment’s etc) and integrates them into fruitful whole. It is an information management system for educational institutions to manage student data. It helps teachers get information about students faster, easier and reduce their workload. School organization, therefore refers to how schools arrange the resources of time, space and personal for maximum effect on student learning.
Definitions of
Educational Management
1. “Management implies an orderly way of thinking.
It describes in operational terms what is to be done, how it is to be done, and
how we know when we have done. Management is not an arcane mystique. It is a
method of operation. Good management should result in an orderly integration of
education and society. [Shelly Umana] : (1972)
2. They say the educational management
is the “Theory and practice of the organization and administration of existing
educational establishments and systems” [G. Terry Page and J.B. Thomas]
"Management is an art of getting things done through the people formally organized group". --Harnold Keentz
"Management is the co-ordination of human and physical resource towards objective accomplishment".
"Management is what manager does".
"Management is the work of creating and maintaining environments in which people can achieve his goal efficiently". --Robert Albance
Scope of School
Management
The
following may be considered as necessarily components of school administration.
1. Providing the human equipment headmaster
teaching, staff, ministerial staff and menial staff
2. Providing the material equipment
such as building furniture, farms, laboratories, library, museum, art gallery
etc.
3. Preparing the curriculum for the
different classes.
4. Organization of a systematic
co-curricular programme.
5. Preparing time table.
6. Maintaining discipline.
7. Organization of library, museum,
hostels etc.
8. Organization of health and physical
education
9. Organization of exhibitions and
museum.
10. Organization of guidance service.
11. Managing the school records.
12. Providing various auxiliary services
like mid-day meals, school uniforms, text books etc.
13. Coordinating the work of home,
school and community.
14. Supervision of school work.
15. Evaluation of pupil achievement.
16. Financing and budgeting.
17. Co-operating with departmental
authorities and implementing the orders of the higher educational authorities.
In short, anything and everything having to do
something with the education of the child
through the agency of the school, will be
included in school management.
Objectives of
School Management
1.
To reflect and conserve basic values
“The unity of a culture consists in
the fact that all valuations are mutually shared in some degree”. In the United States today, in the face of new,
emerging values, and despite the rhetoric of “cultural pluralism”, a cement of
shared values binds individuals and groups to the commonwealth, to the national
society.
2.
To carryout Educational futures
Thus, educational futures are drawn
mainly, and by implications from societal futures, on all levels from family,
through state and nation, to planet. We need to implement non linearity, simultaneity,
and random access to education by allowing students to learn what they want,
when they want it to make education self-directed, continuing and enjoyable.
3.
To manage social change
Changes continue to occur in society. Individuals never react with each
other in the same way on any two occasions. In each of their contact, there it
can be called “Social change” or transformation. It indicates the dynamic
nature of society.
4.
To profit by experience
Education implies profiting by
experience. Learning is nothing but gaining through experience when we think of
educating the young we mean providing them with such experience as may help
them develop physically, mentally, morally, socially and culturally.
5.
To carry out Modernization
Modernization does not merely change
the material culture but affects values and way of life of society. The society
is transformed from its backward structure to a forward-looking, progressive
and prosperous set up.
6.
To Propagate Science
Science involves search for the
truth. To find out the truth, one has to develop a scientific attitude. It involves
collection of data, analysis and synthesis of the information collected and
drawing conclusion. Here again education plays an important role.
7.
To adapt technology
Adoption of technology is the most
urgent need of today’s society. By technology is meant not the science of
industrial arts, but a systematic and science way of doing things.
8.
To realize National Integration
Today anti-social elements raising
their heads in society. The Unity and Integrity of the nation is threatened.
Slogans of casteism or communalist, linguism or regionalism rent the air.
9.
To form character
Social transformation for character
formation is an urgent need. Today there is a death of national character in
Indians. Corruptions, bribery, blackmail, dishonesty and selfishness have taken
hold of society, Indiscipline, in obedience and indulgence in destructive
activities mark the psyche of the students.
Characteristics of
Successful School Management
1.
Flexibility: One of the essential characteristics
of successful school management is its flexible character. The manager should
be dynamic, not static. It should provide enough scope for additions and
alterations. The rules and regulations should act as a means to an end and not
an end in themselves. Dead uniformity and mechanical efficiency is the very
antithesis of good administration. The framework of administration should
provide enough scope to the administrator to help the needy student, and the
needy together, to change the time schedule to suit the whether to meet any
emergency.
2.
Practicability: The school management must not be a
bundle of theoretical principles, but must provide practical measures to
achieve the desired objectives. Whatever objective is decided it must be
achievable and practicable to avoid frustration.
3.
Conformity to the social and
political philosophy of the country : There must be close connection between school
management and the social and political philosophy of a country. It must adjust
itself to the impact of new ideals, new patterns and new mores of the society.
In an autocratic country, educational theory and practical will have to be
different from that of a democratic country because education is one of the
means to social and political objectives. American education is decentralized
and democratized whereas Chinese education is characterized by regimentation
due to political philosophies of the respective countries. In India, school administration has to be
democratic because of political democracy in the country.
4.
Efficiency: Successful management is that which results in maximum
efficiency. This will be possible only when human and material resources are
properly utilized right man at the right place; right work at the right time,
energy activity and project is well planned and well executed.
5. Successful achievement of desired objective : Successful management is one which
leads to the successful achievement of desired objectives of education in a
particular community e.g. healthy social living, development of good physical,
social, moral, intellectual and aesthetic qualities and healthy democratic
living.
School management must
facilitate education. It exists for the pupil and its efficiency has to be
measured by the extent to which it contributes to teaching and learning.
Principles of
democratic School Management
India
happens to be largest democracy in the world. To make democracy successful, we
have to revitalize and recharge our schools, to the full. Schools will be able
to add tempo to the struggling democracy if the following principles are taken
into consideration while administering them.
1.
Democratic Philosophy of Education
In his report on India
administration, Dr. Paul H. Appleby has emphasized the need for a philosophical
but simple theory for administration for a country which is determined to
create a welfare state. If a philosophy is necessary for general
administration, it is all the more so for educational administration which is
seeking to fashion a new pattern of education suited to the needs and aspirants
of modern India. In an educational institution in a democracy, the
administration is a friend and a guide. He consults his colleagues, honours
their opinions, confers with them in staff meetings, meets them informally in
gatherings and clubs. He is one among the equals. He recognizes the worth of
each individuals child, find out his potentialities and gives him help and
guidance according to his requirements. Thus the total managements becomes a
joint show of the Headmaster, teachers, and pupils. Everybody has a clear
consciousness and realization of the purpose of democratic philosophy with
which the school is administered.
2.
Freedom
Enough freedom should be given to
all to exercise their powers and talents. The power of critical thinking an
important requisite of democracy, can only be cultivated by individuals in an
atmosphere of freedom. The Headmaster should give due recognition to any signs
of display of resourcefulness on the part of teachers. They should be free to
questions, offer constructive suggestions, conduct fresh experiments and bring
about healthy changes. The pupils should also be allowed enough freedom to rise
to full stature of their abilities.
3.
Student Centered
All educational management must
be largely student-centered. The purpose of all educational endeavors is the
welfare of the student. Thus “flesh and blood” should never be lost sight of in
the midst of facts, figures and files. Enough opportunities must be provided
for the whole some development of the students. Whatever is done in the school
should be of the students, by the students and for the students.
4.
Flexible, adaptable and stable
Education management must
hold fast to the good, change what requires changing and be fertile in
considering individual differences in all personalities involved.
Democracy can only become real through its
educational institutions, which will teach its children the democratic way of
the life. There must pervade an atmosphere of justice, freedom and cooperation
in the educational institutions, only
then good training in leadership and followership can be given.
Types
of School Management
Centralized and decentralized management
In order to understand the terms better the
differences between centralized and decentralized are:
Decision – making process
The main difference between centralized and decentralized management is
the process each uses to make decisions. In a centralized management there is
one body of management to decide procedures and develop strategies for
operations, whereas, in a decentralized at every level decides for their
department and teams
·
Communication
In a
centralized management information and directive come from top management so
all employees follow instruction that the executives provide .However, In decentralized
management, departments communicate with each other more freely.
·
Responsibility
In
centralized management, overall responsibility belongs to a small group of
executives, but in decentralized management, managers and employees share
responsibility.
·
Size
of organization
A
centralized management structure may be best for small organization because there
are fewer employees for management to make decisions for and oversee whereas,
decentralized management often works well for large organizations. Multiple
decision makers can represent employees on different levels and make informed
decisions because they can observe the effects closely.
Advantages of centralized
management
·
Vision is a key tract of
effective leadership and range a more centralized structure keeps all levels of
an organization focused on one vision.
·
Reduced costs – A centralized
organization follows standard procedures and methods that lead to reduced
office and administrative costs.
·
Quick implementation – A
centralized structure allows for faster decision making from the top since
decisions are made by a small group of people and then communicated to the
lower level managers. The involvement of only a few people makes the decision
making process more efficient since they can discuss the details of each
decision in one meeting.
·
Improved quality of work
Supervisions in each department ensure that the work
outputs are inform and of high quality.
Disadvantages of Centralization
·
Bureaucratic leadership
As
decision making is restricted to individuals at the headquarters level,
employees are unable to contribute to the decision – making process of the
organization, and they are merely implementers of decision made at a higher
level.
·
Remote
control
·
Delay
in work
·
Lack
of employee loyalty
Advantages of decentralization
1.
Conflict is reduced when the
power is shared between the center and the states and local government
2.
A large number of problems and
issues can be best settled at the lower level.
3.
People have better knowledge of
their own problems in their localities.
4.
In offer several advantages,
such as reliability and availability , scalability and flexibility and lower
cost and complexity
Disadvantages of
decentralized management
1.
There will be a problem of
co-ordination
2.
It will require hiring of
trained and qualified personal.
3.
It will increase the financial
burden on the organization
4.
It can create conflict among
the managers of different divisions.
Authoritarian & Democratic
Autocratic education management relies on a
centralized authority figure, often the principal or head of the educational
institution, who makes decisions unilaterally
and without significant input from others
Whereas,
Democratic education is a type of formal education that is organized
democratically, so that students can manage their own learning and participate
in the governance of their school
Autocratic it may limit collaborations
suppresses creativity and hinder the development of critical thinking skills
among students whereas,
Democratic education
emphasizes participatory decision making and shared governance. It promotes
collaborations among administrators, teachers students and parents, fostering a
sense of ownership and inclusivity. This approach encourages creativity,
critical thinking and problem solving skills among students. However, it may
require more time for consensus building and implementation, potentially
slowing down administrative process.
·
In autocratic administration
centralized system is followed but democratic system is decentralized.
·
Autocratic administration is
task oriented but democratic is relation oriented.
·
In autocratic an environment of
mutual district exists whereas, in democratic an environment of mutual trust
exists.
·
In autocratic planning is done
by the managerial head only whereas, in
democratic co- operative planning is done by the entire staff.
·
In autocratic ‘I’ feelings
predominate whereas, in democratic we feelings exist
·
In autocratic manager or head
tells the teachers what to do whereas in democratic manager /head discusses
problems with teachers and accepts suggestions.
·
In autocratic a
manger/head/principal takes credit for all success, whereas, in democratic the
head gives the credit of success to co-workers.
·
In autocratic faculty meetings
are only planned by the head whereas in democratic faculty meetings are only
planned by the entire staff
·
In autocratic text books are
selected by the manager, whereas, in democratic teachers participate in
solution of books
·
In autocratic student are teachers dominated,
whereas, in democratic students are teachers guided.
·
In autocratic teachers plan
activity without discussing with pupils whereas, in democratic teachers plan
many activities according to student interest.
·
In autocratic teachers bring
fear among students, whereas, in democratic teachers are sympathetic.
Advantages
of autocratic management
·
Ensures faster decision making
·
Enhances workplace
communication
·
Improve productivity
·
Improve crisis management
·
Results in micromanagement
·
Disadvantages creates a lack of
trust
·
Creates a high pressure working environment
·
Lacks creativity
·
Low employee morale is one of
the biggest drawbacks of using an autocratic style of leadership.
·
Autocratic leaders do not value
team members suggestions at all
Advantages of
democratic management
·
Job satisfaction
·
Job commitment
·
Feel more valued by the
employee
·
Creative innovation
·
Multiple solutions generated
·
Less absenteeism
·
Team cohesion
·
Trust between group members.
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