THE THREE C’S OF THE 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL HEAD

The author is Principal

ERNESTO S. MANINANG

The 21st century education combines both the progressivist and social reconstructionist philosophical foundation. This means education should be a way of resolving societal issues such as poverty and unemployment; but is able to promote learning experiences that include cooperation, self-inquiry, critical thinking and problem-solving methods. 21st century education also emphasizes the need to be globallycompetitive and the significance of technology-integrated learning. For a school or any administration to function well, a leader must spearhead. With the continuous improvement of the curriculum and advancement of technology, are school heads up to the challenge?

An effective 21st century school head should be able to demonstrate the following: Communication, Commitment and Civic Responsibility.

Schools in the 21st century are nerve centers; a place for teachers and students to connect with those around them and their community. Leading this of course is the school head. Ketchum Leadership Communication Monitor, May 2014, identified communication as the most important attribute of great leadership. History has also proven this. Nelson Mandela united and divided country, Martin Luther King brought attention to the importance of civil rights and Winston Churchill inspired people to stand up against fascism. Words, when utilized properly, can be powerful. Communication allows the school head to foster friendly rapport among colleagues, encourage teachers’professional growth and impart the school’s objectives, goals and strategic direction. The essence of communication is to create understanding. Cooperation and collaboration among members will not develop without a leader pioneering effective communication.

Second is commitment. It is not simply spending time on something. Commitment is the interplay of passion and motivation. Commitment is to strive for excellence. Any educator will agree that taking up the profession is not easy. Enduring tedious work load, approaching deadlines and hectic schedule, teachers are the modern day unsung heroes. What drives them to continue is the passion and pride for what they do. This is a critical aspect. Without this, all the hard work will seem futile and worthless. Stressful days will become a regular routine and burn out between teachers will become more common. One of the roles of the school head is to be a fountain of inspiration. He/ She should be positively committed to their craft and in return inspire teachers by reminding them why they took up the profession in the first place.

Last and most overlooked is civic responsibility. This is defined as the “responsibility of a citizen” (Dictionary.com). It is comprised of actions and attitudes associated with social participation and can include participation in government, church, etc. One of the basic premise of 21st century education is to promote social awareness among the youth and inspire them to be meaningfully involved. As the world is continuously broadened by technology, civic engagement becomes a necessity along with media literacy and global awareness. We want the youth to be critical thinkers, to be able to recognize injustice and stand up against it. By practicing civic responsibility, you are also promoting social awareness, integrity and self-respect. You embrace cultural diversity, advocate civil rights and strive for a better society altogether.

Being a leader has numerous requisites and demands. But just by practicing these three significant attributes, you’ll be able to grasp what it truly means to be a school head in the 21st century.

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I of Sto. Tomas High School, Sasmuan, Pampanga

Learning is not limited within the four corners of the classroom and having a quality education is not always about focusing on academics. Everyone has to keep in mind that grades should never be the basis of an individual’s intelligence. Extra-curricular activities may not be necessary but it is definitely important in honing a student’s intellect. These basically involve value-adding activities which are done outside of the classroom including sports, volunteer work, organizations and other interests.

Why is it important for students to be actively involved in extra-curricular activities even at a young age? First of all, children can discover or improve their talents. It is a way of making a hobby into a skill. It is also through the organizations where one can develop leadership and people skills. By joining various pursuits, one can find the people they share interest with and can eventually be therapeutic to the mind.

One of children’s rights is the right to leisure and this can be actually exercised through extra-curricular activities. A lot of pressure goes on for the students with regards to their academic life and sometimes, the list of requirements can be too much for students especially those at a young age. An outlet for stress is needed and participating in co-curricular activities is very helpful to lessen the tension that they feel. Children should not perceive school as a burden, they should feel that this is their second home wherein they will be able to enjoy and express themselves through their interests.

As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. By joining in activities outside class, students can develop several skills which can be beneficial in the long run. The attention span of children is very short thus they always seek to learn something new. Through engaging in various activities, children get to cultivate new ideas which help them exercise their skills on critical thinking and creativity. Moreover, they get to meet several new people which can help them boost their social intelligence. Time management is also one skill that can be honed through extra-curricular – students can learn how to balance their studies together with their other endeavours.

Education is something that can be gained beyond the books, lectures, homeworks and exams. Students should be highly encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities because these play a big role in honing not only their intellect but also skills and values which can be of use in achieving their goals in the future. However, it should be duly noted that alongside with joining activities, students must not forget to balance these together with their academics. In the end, this will not only result to being an excellent student but will help them transform into well-rounded individuals.

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The author is Master Teacher I at San Joaquin Elementary School, Cluster I, City Schools of Mabalacat, Province, Pampanga