Aspects of leadership and management of schools in a context of decentralization

Abstract

This study will seek to provide definitions of the concepts of management and leadership in the context of an educational organization. So many responsibilities are being added on to the Head of School's remit that the blurring of borders may have ensued or that Heads of School do not even realize that there is a difference in the definitions and implications of each concept. This study will also try to elicit and discuss the various activities which can be linked to both management and leadership such as vision setting, delegation and mentoring. A questionnaire will be sent to the Senior Management Team members forming part of the newly set up St. Benedict's College. Within this new culture, Heads of School and their Team are being encouraged to adopt new forms of leadership and management. The Colleges have been set up so that all children, irrespective of whether or not they pass their Junior Lyceum Exams, are given equal opportunities to exploit their full educational potential. This implies that Senior Management must vary the strategies they traditionally used to mentor their teaching staff, plan the students' transitions and prepare the parents for this new reality. Whether they are able to adapt to these systems will be explored through the results of this questionnaire. The information acquired from the questionnaires will be used in the discussion of the literature. The definitions of management and leadership as they are understood by these Senior Management Team members will also be explored in the light of the writing of educationalists, experts in this field.