Leadership for School Managers
Leadership
ENHANCING SCHOOL MANAGEMENT:
LEADERSHIP FOR SCHOOL MANAGERS:
A PAPER PRESENTED DURING THE SOS KINDER DOF INTERNATIONAL (EAST AFRICA) ANNUAL PRINCIPALS’ WORKSHOP IN NAIROBI 13TH – 15TH AUGUST, 2008.
MORRIS W. MULUPI, M.ED.
Leadership for School Managers
1. Introduction
Schools are organizations established by society for the purpose of educating its children. The education process should transmit desirable values usually embodied in the curriculum. This critical goal can only be achieved through effective school leadership.
The concept of leadership was only embraced in the 1990’s and is now viewed as critical for school improvement in the 21stC. Prior to this shift, the focus was on management . Beare et. al. (1989) captures the paradigm shift thus: “outstanding leadership has invariably emerged as the key characteristic of outstanding schools. There can be no longer doubt that those seeking quality in education must ensure its presence and that the development of potential leaders must be given high priority”. This embrace of leadership was informed by the realization that effective management per se will not create effective, successful and improving schools (West- Burnham in Davies & Ellison, 2001). This is because management focuses on designing and carrying out set plans, controlling resources, getting things done and working effectively with people. Leadership on the other hand, focuses on vision, mission inspiration and motivation of people to greater levels of accomplishment (Deventer and Kruger 2005). The strength of leadership lies in its appeal to the emotions of followers to continuously raise the bar of performance. West- Burnham (in Davies & Ellison, 2001) concluded that leadership and school effectiveness are axiomatic.
2.0 Objectives
By the end of the presentation the participants should be able to
1. Define the terms Leadership and School Leadership 2. Identify
ENHANCING SCHOOL MANAGEMENT:
LEADERSHIP FOR SCHOOL MANAGERS:
A PAPER PRESENTED DURING THE SOS KINDER DOF INTERNATIONAL (EAST AFRICA) ANNUAL PRINCIPALS’ WORKSHOP IN NAIROBI 13TH – 15TH AUGUST, 2008.
MORRIS W. MULUPI, M.ED.
Leadership for School Managers
1. Introduction
Schools are organizations established by society for the purpose of educating its children. The education process should transmit desirable values usually embodied in the curriculum. This critical goal can only be achieved through effective school leadership.
The concept of leadership was only embraced in the 1990’s and is now viewed as critical for school improvement in the 21stC. Prior to this shift, the focus was on management . Beare et. al. (1989) captures the paradigm shift thus: “outstanding leadership has invariably emerged as the key characteristic of outstanding schools. There can be no longer doubt that those seeking quality in education must ensure its presence and that the development of potential leaders must be given high priority”. This embrace of leadership was informed by the realization that effective management per se will not create effective, successful and improving schools (West- Burnham in Davies & Ellison, 2001). This is because management focuses on designing and carrying out set plans, controlling resources, getting things done and working effectively with people. Leadership on the other hand, focuses on vision, mission inspiration and motivation of people to greater levels of accomplishment (Deventer and Kruger 2005). The strength of leadership lies in its appeal to the emotions of followers to continuously raise the bar of performance. West- Burnham (in Davies & Ellison, 2001) concluded that leadership and school effectiveness are axiomatic.
2.0 Objectives
By the end of the presentation the participants should be able to
1. Define the terms Leadership and School Leadership 2. Identify