Die senior huisvader as professionele onderwysbestuursleier

Abstract

M.Ed. (Education Management)The aim of this research was to assess the management role of the senior housemaster/mistress in the school hostels of the Transvaal Education Department. In this regard, it was initially determined that to be able to manage, a person must also be able to lead, because management is the process of working through other people to attain departmental or organizational goals. As ''head'' of the school hostel, the senior housemaster will see that the policy, as laid down by the principal, is implemented. This too, calls for clear formulation as a basis of effective management. The principal must take cognisance of the particular circumstances pertaining to his school and hostel when formulating his policy, to ensure that its implemention is feasible. The domestic policy will be an indication to the senior housemaster as to how the principal wishes the hostel to be managed. This then becomes a handy managerial instrument in the hands of the senior housemaster. The following elements of management should be emphasized in the policy: planning, organising, training and control. When the domestic policy is clearly formulated, the senior housemaster will be able to frame the organisation of the hostel and determine the appropriate executive responsibilities and relationships. Interpreting policy into terms of operating instructions is the first stage of management. The senior housemaster must manage his hostel in such a way, that the educational, economic and administrative matters can be fully realised. To enable him to manage successfully, the senior housemaster will apply certain basic principles of management, such as planning, organising, training and control. When planning, the senior housemaster will seek ways and means to reach his operational goals and prepare appropriate methods for effective actions. This will include the planning of the educational programme, economic and financial procedures and administrative planning. The structure of organisation will form the framework for the senior housemaster to carry out the responsibilities of management, for the delegation of such responsibilities and for the co-ordination of. activities and operations, in the hostel. It is also essential that everybody concerned with the operation of the hostel, that is: the educational, administrative and domestic staff, including the servants, should be acquainted with his or her specific duties and responsibilities. It is therefore the task of the senior housemaster to see that duties and responsibilities are comprehensively and briefly set out. It is furthermore essential that every person should be suitably trained for his or her duty in the hostel. Unfortunately no teacher receives specific training to equip him/her for the important function of substitute parent, nor for that matter for the administrative, management, accounting and other duties with which the senior housemaster and other members of staff are required to be fully conversant. Therefore an in-service-training programme is essential and unavoidable. The implementation of such a programme will be one of the major tasks of the senior housemaster, if he wants to achieve healthy educational aims, without neglecting sound economic management. Sound planning requires the determination and setting down, of appropriate standards of performance in respect of the various activities. These standards must continuously be controlled by comparing the achievements against the predetermined standards. If there are any deviations, it must be immediately rectified. The senior housemaster will control events in his hostel by being on the spot or by way of consultation and reports. As a result of the research, a number of conclusions were reached and certain recommendations were made concerning the efficient management of hostels, within the scope of the school practice. It is finally recommended that the senior housemaster must officially be recognised as an educational manager, by putting him on par with the heads of department, in the general school hierachy