Team building: A prerequisite for a successful school

Tshwarelo Hosia | Monday August 10, 2026 06:00

Team building is a prerequisite for a successful school. More importantly any school principal requires an equally strong, supportive, trusted and reliable school principal.

The school principal and his most immediate lieutenant cannot afford any schism or harbour fundamental irreconcilable differences diverting attention from the core business. Differences of opinion on a specific matter can occur now and then. This is healthy as it shows that both are equally applying their minds to reflect on best practices that can serve their institution better.

But the two leaders at the helm of a school should never act or operate as if each has his or her own institution. Whenever differences emerge they should be mindful of the fact that they belong to a shared institution and destiny.

Exchanging views in a spirit of mutual respect is very critical in the running of a school.

Rather than having a prolonged impasse over a matter, it is vitally important to manage differences of opinion with great care and diligence. The school principal and his/her number two should find one another promptly and never allow their differences to play themselves out in the open. Rather they must address disagreements swiftly and always present a united front for staff, students and the community. The most important goal is never to win debates but to serve the school. In the interests of the school a deputy principal should never go on a silent mode or become indifferent when things do not go well. Deputies have a duty to bring back on the rails the derailed train.

Withdrawal of support or advice is tantamount to sabotage. Quiet diplomacy is critical in the management of the affairs of a school. Yes a deputy can reprimand the principal but respectfully so behind closed curtains. The principle of reprimanding each other in private and praising in public should apply at all times. Teachers on the frontline tend to react to the atmosphere in the upper room. They tend to gel when the atmosphere at the top is good and healthy.

But when there are glaring cracks and divisions in the upper room, further schisms can emerge among staff.

This negative development would impact negatively on the running of the school, thus setting the stage for a perpetual culture of conflict and mutual disrespect. A culture of bitterness and antagonism is a prerequisite for academic underachievement. School principals should always share the air with staff and their deputies.

The one man’s show is a recipe for disaster. Respecting the views of their lieutenants as well as accommodating staff, learners and the community is a mark of good leadership. Deputy school principals have an important role too to play in the maintenance of order and harmonious relationships in a school setting.

This is a shared institution and it is not a monopoly of one person.

So the deputy school principal should never try to run a parallel school when points of disagreement surface. A deputy is not a fully fledged principal but a principal in the making and therefore should never allow anybody in the school to rally behind him or her to the detriment of the school principal. Leading a particular group that does not seem to align with the vision of the sitting principal makes a deputy principal a leader of a faction. Deputies have an advisory role. Serving in an advisory capacity means one’s views can be taken on board or frustrated.

There should be no bitterness when one’s views are not well received. In my view the deputy principal should act as a peacemaker. He or she is the bridge between staff, students and the principal. The deputy has a duty to rally all troops behind the principal and the cause of the school.

A deputy principal should display in stupendous proportions the qualities of servanthood, team work, humility, collaboration, respect love, compassion, innovation ,consultation among others.

All in all if the atmosphere is well and good in the upper room it will be well among staff, learners and the community. Schools that enjoy a peaceful atmosphere tend to achieve more and better learning outcomes. Incessant squabbles must be avoided at all costs because they are powerful distractions.