Series 4: STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

7 THINGS THAT WOULD IMPROVE WELFARE OF PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS


Having no leader is danger but having a bad leader is torment.

Essence of leadership can not ever be over-emphasized. When a people have the right leadership, it implies that there is proper provision for needs in sight, protection is assured, direction becomes a phenomenon,  projection for a better collective future is certain. It further connotes ease of progress and prosperity for all, purpose is defined for the collective existence and plans to achieve the common goals are set up and activated. In short, a lot of possibilities emerges when there is good leadership.

However, for so long a time, Teachers in private schools have been without leadership. Everyone is for himself or herself. It is the cause of all the symptoms (complaints) which private school teachers peddle about their job.

All the aforementioned attributes of leadership above remain a mirage as having men and women at helms of affairs in individual private schools is not the same as leadership in this context. So far, the persons who see to the affairs of Teachers in private schools are simply Managers. There is a huge difference between a leader and a manager.

Context-wise, the following distinguish one from the other.


MANAGER

1) Interested in teacher’s productivity or performance contributions to employer's vision.
2) Prioritises task/work above other things.
3) Maintains status quo (the way things are currently)
4) Thinks and plans just for a  few teachers in own school.
5) Cares for only a section of the whole spectrum of a teacher’s life



LEADER

1) Interested in the prosperity and well being of all teachers
2) Prioritises life above anything else
3) Challenges and changes status quo for an improved status- life & work.
4) Cares about the entire aspects of the life of teachers.
5) Thinks and plans in the general interest of all teachers.

Understand that there is need for leadership in the interest of the generality of Teachers in private schools. And it is this vacuum that this group is focused on in order to afford the concerned teachers an improved well being or welfare.