Educational Leadership Identify a school problem and apply your understanding of leadership theories and experimental knowledge
... Whereas the economic impact of absenteeism is most acute in business organizations, the problem is especially difficult in schools. Absenteeism in schools causes additional damage beyond the economic and affects the school’s general existence – the loss of school days that diminishes student achievement cause damage to the school’s reputation and induces pupil absenteeism. ... BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM: Waterloo Presbyterian School is a Primary School with a maximum of 500 students. ... THE PROBLEM: The problem this paper addresses is the high level of teacher absenteeism that exists at Waterloo Presbyterian School. ... This is especially true for Waterloo Presbyterian School, which is beset by high teacher absenteeism. ... It also has implications for the climate and culture of the school. HOW ACUTE IS THE PROBLEM? – A SURVEY This researcher collected data on absenteeism at Waterloo Presbyterian School for the years 2000, 2001 & 2002 (see table below). ... 6 Average Teacher absences per year (Days) – Waterloo Presbyterian School It must be noted that according to the Education Act 1966 and the Teaching Service Regulations (1967), teachers are entitled to 14 days sick leave and 14 days occasional leave for each year (total of 28 days) with full pay. ... The results revealed that all (100%) teachers believed that teacher absenteeism affects the school negatively. ... He further suggests that school administrators should foster a feeling of interdependence by developing organizational and instructional arrangements, which encourage staff to work together. Perhaps there is a lesson here for Waterloo Presbyterian School – the need for teamwork. ... However, it is the view of the school’s administration that some teachers abuse this privilege. ... Clearly, half of the staff is not happy on the job and so it is the duty of the school’s leadership to change this attitude. ... More than half of the staff identified the lack of adequate administrative support/efficiency as a problem. Co-incidentally and significantly so, student behaviour and administrative support are inextricably linked as ‘discipline’ which is one of the responsibilities of school administrators. ... Other factors mentioned were stress (33 1/3%), lack of motivation, school culture and working conditions. The final question asked for motivating factors for teachers to attend school more regularly. ... The questionnaire, as a tool for investigating the problem of teacher absenteeism, has presented some insightful and timely feedback, not only for the paper but also for administrative action. TACKLING THE ISSUES: Based on the teacher absenteeism survey (questionnaire) conducted in connection with this paper, the factors identified were: · Administration and staff relations · Student discipline · Job dissatisfaction · Lack of motivation to attend · The stress factor · Working conditions The fact that teachers have identified these issues, it is imperative that the school’s leadership makes the necessary interventions to address them so that school improvement can take place. STUDENT DISCIPLINE The problem of student discipline is a common factor in schools today, both primary and secondary. ... What is the role of the Principal in dealing with this problem? It is a problem, which affects most teachers and is even a cause of teacher absenteeism (school survey). A school should have a clearly formulated, documented and articulated discipline policy. There should be an overall agreement among stakeholders about the philosophy and objectives of the disciplinary policies and procedures of the school. If a school is to make a significant reduction in student misbehaviour, the administration and its staff need to identify and correct the basic causes of misbehaviour. ... The teacher must deal with the problem in every possible manner before it is brought to the Principal’s attention. ... This researcher (a co-administrator at the school) disagrees with the inflexible position taken by the Principal and has communicated this view to him. ... ” It is the view of this paper that an opportunity has been lost to show that administration has a collaborative approach to school governance and that the view of the staff is respected. A transformational leader, in the new leadership paradigm, would have engaged the staff in a debate on the issue – a review, as it were. ... Of course, this would not be the end-all to the problem at the school.