One of the important areas in introducing
change in schools is students’ learning which involves the academic achievements
of those learning outcomes that have been mentioned in the national curriculum
of the country. The knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values are intended to
develop among the learners by the curriculum developers and expected the
teachers to ensure the attainments of the devised students’ learning outcomes.
The implementers (teachers) are the real players in the classroom to create such an
environment where students are provided with the opportunities to easily
exhibit the attainment of learning outcomes. In order to do that, teachers need
to be well planned and prepared, equipped with relevant resources, and timed and
active facilitators. Thus, students may acquire knowledge, and develop necessary
skills and attitudes through vicarious and observational ways becoming active
participants in the classroom activities.
Another area of the school improvement process is the professional development of teachers. On-the-job training and refresher
workshops are frequently conducted for equipping the teachers with various
teaching strategies to improve their teaching skills. Lesson observations
followed by feedback by educators or professional development teachers are
carried out to furnish the teaching skills of teachers. Classroom management is
an important area of classroom teaching that if improved may increase the
academic learning time in the classroom during which the students actually learn
from the activities. Teachers need to be supported with techniques and
dimensions of classroom management so that classroom activities can be smoothly
worked out. Creating a lively environment in the classroom is also important
for making students engaged in learning activities. Therefore, students need to be
motivated through creative and meaningful activities in the classroom and
teachers need ongoing support from the educators.
The role of the community and parents is considered
as significant as other factors in shaping the schools in the desired direction. In
some of the approaches to school improvement, committees of community in the
form of parent-teachers association (PTA), school management committee (SMC), or
mothers support groups (MSGs) are formed through which communities play their
role in school improvement. Curriculum enrichment is also emphasized to be imperative
for a paradigm shift in schools which can be enriched in many ways.
Libraries may be updated with the latest research literature as well as with the installation of computers and internet service in schools.
Teaching resources
may be developed at the school level in different subject areas to materialize the
abstract concepts through no and low-cost materials. Study tours can be planned
for the students to provide them with opportunities to learn through their own experiences. Other activities include assigning projects
to students, arranging debates, discussions, art activities and exhibitions, and
so on.
Leadership and management is the critical aspect
of school improvement. Shared decision-making under a shared vision while
intending to demonstrate some needful values are the main factor of leadership
and management activities. Thoughtful planning, supervisory activities, and
realistic budgeting exercises and reporting are the core functions of
leadership and managerial practices. School leaders need to be vigilant and
proactive while carrying out leadership and management activities. Utilization
of resources at the right time whether the human or material resources is the key
responsibility of the school leaders and managers.
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The efforts to improve the schools will prove
to be successful when all the stakeholders carry out their roles with full commitment.
The key role is of the teachers who are real players in getting things done according
to the designed plans. In facilitating teachers to ensure school improvement,
head teachers as gatekeepers of the changes, need to be vigilant in order to
monitor plans being implemented in real essence and make necessary changes to obtain
the desired results. School development plans involving the areas of school improvement
in schools should show the meaningful efforts of the school personnel. In short,
everyone who is involved in the school improvement process needs to realize his/her
role in contributing to bringing about the desired changes in the school. Thus, society
could be benefitted in the long term.
Broadening the Horizons
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