Everywhere you look in Nigeria there is a private school, either new and bubbling or old and struggling. Most educators dive into this field without truly understanding what it means to run a school successfully. When selecting a school for their wards, parents have an uncanny ability to spot a well-run school out of the large pool of viable options.
As a school administrator, the way you run the school determines the success of your students and your school as a whole. Is your goal to be the leading school in your area, community or state? Then your focus must be on fine-tuning all the components of your school to make sure they all work together seamlessly to achieve that goal. There are certain things to take into consideration while running a school. The aims, objectives, vision, mission, and values of the school. All these will be your guiding principles to running the school.
Benefits of a Well Run School
Looking at the big picture, a well-run school becomes an integral part of a better society in the future. It is said that the school is one of the most important basic social institutions that can either make or break a society. Yes, you believe in the society and making it a better place, but what does this mean for your bottom-line?
Improved teacher welfare, better learning environment, and quality education project an image of success in the eyes of the parents. Pro-student and Pro-teacher policies made in the school become evident in the overall performance of your students, and this helps maintain positive student retention rates in your school.
Key Components of a Well-Run School
Teachers’ Welfare
Teachers’ welfare is paramount in a well-run school. The teachers are vital assets to the well-being of the school, hence, must be adequately taken care of. To evaluate how a school is properly run, there is a need to assess how the teachers are doing on the job and in their career advancement. The teachers that are well motivated and trained are encouraged to give nothing less than their best. A well-run school provides a conducive teaching environment and, encourages innovative teaching practices. The teachers are well paid and, consistently so. The teachers are also given autonomy over their students to an extent. A well-run school definitely makes the Teachers’ Welfare a top priority.
Students’ Performance
Parents look forward to the excellent performance of their wards. A well-run school is sure to produce excellent students. This occurs as a result of the conducive environment for learning the school has put in place. The academic curriculum and extra-curricular activities are also not left out. Students are exposed to a great learning experience in a well-run school. They are encouraged to go on excursions, competitions, outdoor activities, all in a bid to enhance their learning process. The students are also duly assessed to determine their level of academic performance. Counselors are available to the students for career counseling or issues relating to their social or mental health.
Parents’ Participation
Parents Participation is evident in good and quality schools. A complete learning process involves the Students, Teachers, and Parents. Parents are encouraged to participate in the decision-making process for the benefits of their wards, through Parents, Teachers Association (PTA). Parents are also involved in the learning process of their wards through volunteering, visiting day etc. Forums, both online and offline are established and active, and parents are free to express their views, opinions, and recommendations to the school regarding set policies or proposed policies.
Quality Education
A well-run school stands for quality education which leads to a better society. The administrators of a well-run school prioritize quality education over profit making. They see to the adequate and necessary facilities needed to make the school a standard one. They instill leadership skills into the Students and Teachers. Teachers are constantly being trained and updated on innovated and effective methods of teaching. Students are guided and given a real-life application of the lessons they learn on campus.
Conclusion
A well-run school is the pride of every school administrator. While having good leadership experience is key, you must also have the integrity, diligence and a strategic mind to run a school well. Identify your priorities and, carry every stakeholder (Students, Teachers and Parents) involved along. With all these, you are sure to produce the school of your dreams.
First published by Allprotech
