10 Basic Tips for Effective School Management

Da-Silva Johnson – Lead Director,HEI Nigeria.

Basic tips for effective school management is for those playing a leadership role in school such as a school manager, administrator, principal, vice principal academic, vice principal admin, dean of studies, head teacher, assistant head teacher, school secretary, bursar, heads of department etc.  It would help you become effective as it is not cheap to be a management staff in a school.  School is a sensitive system where everything can be learned.  The following tips are just few we can assemble for your effective consumption and implementation.

1.  Be Educated indeed.  The first requirement for leadership position on a school is education and qualification.  Do not occupy the seat you are given but upgrade yourself educationally and ensure you conduct your affairs and run your duties with the conciousness of been literate and educated. Understand your school vision and description of duties.

2.  Be experienced. Make the pursuit of experience a deliberate act and a part of your life.  Accept leadership responsibility, be willing to serve, assist a leader and the system. Accept or adopt a teaching role to experience practical teaching and all associated factors daily.

3.  Relate with others.  Other management staff of other schools would do you good if only you relate.  Get connected to them, share ideas and learn to ask question when you are confused or knew not what to do.

4.  Be a creative thinker.  Let your school and role be in your thoughts constantly. If your mind is focused on your job, you would receive ideas regularly to be effective and productive. Idea rule the world and idea would make your school rule.

5.  Be available.  Your office is made to receive visitors, hold short meeting, store materials etc but not a place to relax, sleep, chat or do unofficial works. Be prompt at resuming work daily, avoid regular absentism even when permission is not denied. A learning staff regularly available is better that a competent start regularly unavailable. Be on ground to think, work, lead, influence, control etc.

6.  Supervise.  Yes, supervise your team.  People don’t do what you expect, people do what you inspect. If you provide a close marking, you should not expect an excellent service delivery.  Indirect and direct supervision are both relevant.

7.  Discipline.  A leader that do not correct or punish offenders are termed to be weak.  Have rules in place and punish offenders as necessary. Show sympathy and empathy but do not down play the school culture and integrity.

8.  Reward.  Operate the reward system.  Appreciate good deeds. Give incentives and pay worthy wages promptly.  When staff are motivated, they are more productive.

9.  Train. Give them tutoring , guide and experience. You cant expect much from someone you have shown nothing.  Arrange seminar, workshop etc to update your staff.

10.  Reject Sentiment.  Separate yourself from the school and do things officially respecting the school culture. Do not side anyone or group and what ever you do, remember its a legacy and reference point.

These few would aid your progress in leadership if adhered.  Leadership is a platform to learn and earn but hard-work is required for result.  For more, contact us today on 07013286772.