| Principles
of Educational Management |
The task of running a school requires imagination and common
sense. But there are also certain principles of management which
can provide useful guidance for the practising school head,
and a number of these are examined in this module. The principles
covered here include: aspects of human and public relations,
communications, delegation, decision-making and problem-solving.
We hope that the module will encourage you to reflect on your
own performance and consider ways in which you might improve
your own school management processes to become more effective
in your role as school head and as a manager of change.
Individual study time: 20 hours
Objectives
After working through this module you should be able to:
• discuss the contribution which management theory can
make to understanding management practice
• relate
your responsibilities and duties as a school head to the functions
of the central government ministries and organisations responsible
for education
• differentiate between the main functions
of the head of a school and identify some of the tasks associated
with each
• understand the importance of good human
relations and communications in promoting a suitable working
environment for teachers, pupils and non-teaching staff in a
school
• outline the importance of delegation and outline
the key principles and procedures involved in delegation in
schools
• explain decision-making and problem-solving
and list the major factors which contribute towards effective
practice
• describe the nature of the change process
and identify the key management functions and tasks associated
with the effective management of schools.
Units
Unit 1: Introduction to educational
management
3 1/2 hours
In this you will learn about some theoretical perspectives on
management and identify key concepts and principles. A deeper
understanding of the nature of educational management should
enable you to improve your practice as a school manager.
Unit 2: Government organisation
and functions
2 hours
Here you will find out about the nature of government as an
organisation, and how it may well affect the quality of management
in your school. You are encouraged to apply the general principles
of management introduced in Unit 1 to the running of public
affairs in your country.
Unit
3: The functions of school management
3 hours
The major functions of management include planning, organising,
directing, supervising and evaluating. In this unit you will
examine how they relate to each other and how together they
describe the role of the school head.
Unit
4: Human and public relations
3 hours
As school head you are responsible for a large number of people
and you must therefore know something about the behaviour of
people in organisations and how best to motivate people to ensure
the success of your school.
Unit
5: Delegation in a school
2 hours
As a manager of your school you need to be well aware that you
cannot achieve your goals and objectives if you do all the tasks
alone. In this unit you will consider the process of delegation,
considering its importance and some of the barriers to its effectiveness.
Unit 6: Communication and
negotiation
2 hours
Communication is an essential part of management and here you
will learn about the concept of communication, different forms
of communication, and the importance of effective communications
for staff meetings and negotiations.
Unit
7: Decision-making and problem-solving
2 hours
Here you will focus on these two key management functions and
examine some of the major factors which contribute towards effective
decision-making and problem-solving.
Unit
8: The management of change
2 1/2 hours
In the final unit, you will consider the nature of change in
schools and focus on your role in bringing about change. It
is suggested that the effective manager of change is one who
adopts strategies derived from many of the management principles
and practices explored in the earlier units of the module.
Contributors
This module was written by a team in Kenya:
Mr J Lodiaga
(Team Leader) Director, Kenya Education Staff Institute (KESI)
Professor J M Waithaka Director of Education
Mr T M Sitima Chief Inspector of Schools
Mrs E S Masiga Deputy Chief Inspector of Schools
Mr E M Kiugu Assistant Director of Education i/c
Staff Development
Mr P C Sande Jowe Assistant Director of Education i/c
Teacher Education
Mrs J Nzomo Principal Staffing Officer, Teachers' Service
Commission
Mr S K Kibe Secretary, Kenya Secondary School Heads' Association
Mr S S Maneno Principal, Lenana School
Mr J Githaiga Retired School and College Principal
Mr B Makau Retired School Principal
Professor J O Olembo Department of Educational Planning, Administration
and Curriculum Development, Kenyatta University |
