By: Arlen C. Cabantog
Pagsanjan-Sub Office, SDO LAGUNA
San Isidro ES
An effective educational leader is like a force that leads the educational institution to achieve its goals and mission. It is power that overcome problems that arises during the operation of schools. Without this so-called force, school will immobile and won’t reach its target success.
The main function of a principal is to set the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of the school, create an environment conducive to teaching-learning process, implements, monitors and assesses the school curriculum and is accountable for higher learning outcomes, according to the department.
On top of it is clearly defined in DepEd Order 1, s. 2003 that School Head shall act as an instructional leader and administrative manager of the school. Aside from the duties stated above. School head shall also have authority, accountability and responsibility in offering educational programs, projects and services which provide equitable opportunities for all learners.
With this massive responsibility school principal must plan, create and decide management styles suited for the school. This management styles will dictate on how teachers, students and even stakeholders perform to achieve one common goal, that is to deliver quality education.
There seem no perfect styles for every school, since human has their own differences and truly unique from one another, a certain management style must not be enough to cater the needs and demands of the school, its teacher and learners. It must a combination of styles to achieve the most suitable blend that will be effective and efficient to all.
Work attitude was driven on how principal implement the leadership and management towards teachers. In order to make the school a harmonious institution for all, principal need to have a sense of balance of being a leader and manager.
Remember that we can apply Newton’s third law of motion, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”, in managing schools. Every time make decision on certain issues there’s always a cons and pros. There’s always going to be in favor or wont in favor in our decision.
But at the end of the day, principal can assess whether the managerial styles has lapses or effective; sometime we cannot hit a bit on our first throw, but with a regular practice, guidance from others and determination to give your fullest as the leader of the school, then it will be evident that you will hit the target.
