School-based Management

Edna S. Toniacao

IN any school setting, it is important that all stakeholders – principals, teachers, students and parents – are given the responsibility in making decisions for the school.

This is called a school-based management (SBM), a strategy which aims to improve education by transferring significant decision-making authority from state and district offices to individual schools.

This strategy provides the stakeholders mentioned above greater control over the education process. The involvement of teachers, parents, and other community members in making key decisions creates a more effective learning environment for children.

One advantages of the SBM is that it allows competent individuals in the schools to make decisions that will improve learning. This also gives the entire school community a voice in key decisions and focus accountability for decisions.

SBM leads to greater creativity in the design of programs and redirect resources to support the goals developed in each school. Also, this leads to realistic budgeting as parents and teachers become more aware of the school’s financial status, spending limitations, and the cost of its programs.

More importantly, SBM improves the morale of teachers and nurtures new leadership at all levels.

From the beginning, the school board and superintendent must be supportive of school-based management. They must trust the principals and councils to determine how to implement the district’s goals at the individual schools.

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The author is Head Teacher III at Bical High School