EVERY SERIOUS ENTERPRISE must have a focus and a clear structure by which it expects to achieve it goals and objectives. In this pursuit, there must be grounding. This is established with well-accepted, respected and practised guiding principles.
Hence, very early in the process of developing, a strategic plan agreement must be reached on the foundation blocks of any effective organisation –the vision, the mission and the values. These will underpin the work, the image and the definition of the organisation.Â
The vision for the organisation presents the picture of what it should be like sometime in the future; the suggested five years. The mission identifies what the organisation does, with whom and how it is done. The values expressly define the organisation, its shared beliefs about the right way to do things, how to deal with people, and how the world ought to be organised.
These must not just be put up as posters but must always be the point of reference. They must be institutionalised in the thinking and actions of members of the organisation. They must also be the advertising thrust for winning over others from the outside.
At this point, it is important to identify the organisation’s (Ministry of Education’s) organisational chart. There are two significant components to this. The specific positions and relational responsibilities must be articulated. Additionally, the support structures impacting subordinate/supervisor relationships must be identified.
It would also be necessary to specify the legal/established profiles for each level of the organisational chart. These would include the legally defined regulations and acts, as well as set policy. These structures should reach throughout the ministry and into the wider school functions.
Having put all of the foundation structures in place, preparation for the virtual engine room work must now begin by organising working sub-committees. There are four basic committees that must drive the work. Each of these must be related to the opportunities and targets from the SWOT analysis.
As an education entity, high student academic achievement must be a prime committee. The work of which should focus on the appropriate and functional curriculum, instruction, assessment and classroom management. These are the areas that will determine student success or failure.
In our challenging society, discipline, comfort and safety for employees and school students should also engage specific analysis from one committee. Areas that should be addressed include responsibility for societal development, civility, caring, confidence, resource adequacy and sustained aesthetics.
Another mandatory committee should involve technology inclusive of mastery of various technology tools. Mastery and not mere knowledge must be the focus. It should also include utilisation of technological tools for knowledge generation as well as the manipulation of technological tools for problem solving. Ethical use of technology should also be an important component.
Education should be providing the nation with citizens with a focus on the future for societal and personal development. Hence a committee for future focussed students and institutional development should also be formed. The focus should be on inculcating critical and creative thinking skills, the honing of skills and abilities to confront unfolding challenges and a thought process geared on shaping a focus on positively impacting the society of the future.
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Jeff Broomes is an experienced educator, principal and community organiser
who also served as vice-president of the BCA and director of the WICB.
Email: [email protected]
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