Headmasters challenged to improve education standards

The Herald, April 5 1993

HEADMASTERS must supervise their schools regularly, effectively and efficiently to curb the decline in the quality of education, the Minister of Education and Culture Cde Witness Mangwende, has said.

Addressing headmasters from Midlands schools last week, Cde Mangwende urged them to summon their innovativeness and resourcefulness to come up with strategies for improving the quality of leadership at schools.

School headmasters should be disciplined to achieve outstanding managerial and administrative skills, and should refrain from favouring certain members of staff or pupils as this would create division.

“As head, do not absent yourself from school inexcusably or for unprofessional reasons for that matter. Effectiveness of a school depends largely on the headship of that school,” he said.

The minister said, cases of some headmasters misappropriating examination fees were very disturbing and of great concern. Heads should show complete integrity when handling the fees and should be men and women beyond reproach.

The provision of adequate, appropriate and challenging learning should be facilitated further since headmasters were now in a position to buy their own books using grants allocated by the ministry.

He condemned some teachers who used the profession as a stepping stone to greener pastures and said these should leave immediately before they inflict greater damage to the education system.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ The school head’s main duties are to lead, organise and manage the school. He or she must plan and lead from the front.

◆ As the custodians of the school, school heads must be disciplined and people of integrity.

◆ If they fail to uphold the tenets of good governance, the quality of education is seriously compromised.

◆ School heads must also ensure that both teachers and pupils are innovative in their approach to education.