Strategic Planning in Schools
Once one thinks about management, planning is a must! Management without planning is like science without experiment- L. Fearon
In the management of any school, there must be some kind of planning, not just random or ad-hoc planning but strategic planning; planning to achieve the desired goal. It was Amoli and Aghashahi (2016) who said that strategic management is an educational management activity that plays an effective role in the way an institution prioritizes resources, ensures that all stakeholders are working towards a common goal in keeping with the mission and vision statements as well as assessing outputs and adjusting where necessary to match the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal climates in the sector.
The importance of strategic planning in schools
Strategic planning is the result of strategic thinking; recording mission, vision, and values, as well as long-term goals and the action-plans necessary to reach them (Vo, 2020). Naturally, this process cannot be done in a day but would require concerted effort and time. This kind of planning requires a strategy, hence ‘strategic planning’. Strategic planning is important in schools as it caters to the following needs:
Educational: It is through proper planning that educational administrators can cater to the educational needs of students. It requires planning to know what subjects students are to pursue at different levels. It is through planning that administrators will assess the external factors and decide what to offer the students. For example, an evaluation of the economy can determine whether or not Information technology should be compulsory for all students. Strategic planning “provides a focus (Krenek, 2018).”
Social needs: Strategic planning will enable school leaders to recognize what is necessary to ensure that both teachers and students are working collaboratively to achieve institutional goals. Are the rules flexible enough so that students will want to comply since it does not violate their basic human rights? Are teachers willing to work in the school environment because of rules that facilitate orderliness? It is strategic planning that will allow all stakeholders to recognize that school is more than just a place of academic learning. It is where students learn to socialize and develop life skills through interaction and participation in various clubs and societies. It is through strategic planning that staff will feel motivated to serve their students. Are there reward systems in place for both teachers and students and on what merit? Ong (2016) posited that “the plan encourages commitment by showing staff members that their work is essential, part of a larger strategy to help their school succeed.”
Emotional needs: Strategic planning ensures that the emotional needs of all stakeholders are met. Additionally, it means that the resources are present to ensure comfort to the populace-counsellor for those who have personal issues (both students and teachers) who may not have anyone else to talk to. It is through this kind of deliberate effort to have a well-rounded school that specialized personnel-school nurses and security guards are employed to ensure safety for students and staff. One cannot attain success in a disruptive environment where people cannot think logically. Furthermore, having a concessionaire or school-based arrangement for healthy meals and forging an atmosphere of inclusion and diversity all contribute to a successful school.
Individuals with special needs may listen to a concise version of strategic planning in schools by clicking 👉 the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyJezESZlVY
The success of any school is dependent on its leadership and the willingness of stakeholders to work collaboratively for the greater good. It is through strategic planning that a school will develop its unique identity and distinguishes itself from another. It is through catering to the educational, social and emotional needs that schools truly promote holistic development.
By
Leroy Fearon,
MSc Management and Educational Leadership
References
Amoli, S. J., & Aghashahi, F. (2016). An Investigation on Strategic Management Success Factors in an Educational Complex. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 230, 447-454. DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.09.056.
Krenek, M. (2018, March 19). Three reasons why you need strategic planning in education. The APQC.org. Retrieved July 1, 2020, from https://www.apqc.org/blog/3-reasons-why-you-need-strategic-planning-education #:~:text=1)Provides%20a%20focus.,values%2C%20goals%2C%20and%20object ives.&text=This%20insight%20early%20on%20helps,create%20efficiency%20a nd%20saves%20money.
Ong, C. (2016, January 25). 7 reasons why schools need strategic planning. Envisio.com. Retrieved July 1, 2020, from https://envisio.com/blog/7-reasons-schools-need-strategic-planning/
Vo, E. (2020). What is strategic planning? Retrieved from https://sba.thehartford.com/business-management/what-is-strategic-planning/ on June 23, 2020.
