SCHOOL-BASED MANAGEMENT

BERNADETH H. LUMBANG

School-based management (SBM) is a strategy to improve education by transferring significant decision-making authority from state and district offices to individual schools. SBM provides principals, teachers, students, and parents greater control over the education process by giving them responsibility for decisions about the budget, personnel, and the curriculum.

Through the involvement of teachers, parents, and other community members in these key decisions, SBM can create more effective learning environments for children. Allow competent individuals in the schools to make decisions that will improve learning.

School Based Management give the entire school community a voice in key decisions; focus accountability for decisions; lead to greater creativity in the design of programs; redirect resources to support the goals developed in each school; lead to realistic budgeting as parents and teachers become more aware of the school’s financial status, spending limitations, and the cost of its programs; and, improve morale of teachers and nurture new leadership at all levels.

The school board continues to establish a clear and unifying vision and to set broad policies for the district and the schools. SBM does not change the legal governance system of schools, and school boards do not give up authority by sharing authority. The board’s role changes little in a conversion to SBM (Department of Education).

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The author is Head Teacher III at San Patricio Elementary School, Sta. Ana, Division of Pampanga