In the words of Linda Cliatt Wayman, a prominent school Turnaround Champion, “if you are going to lead, lead.” Wayman made an interesting observation that not all buildings purporting to be schools are schools. Some are serving the purpose for which they were built and while others are falling short of achieving expectations. A real School should be characterised and distinguished by discipline and order, a culture of mutual respect where students respect teachers and likewise teachers respect their students.
Rules are rules and they should apply without any fear or favour. And school principals should leave no stone unturned in their quest for change and improved learning outcomes. Paying attention to details should be the standard practice. Effective management of schools necessarily entails winning small battles. This begins with order and discipline. Once rules and norms have been developed and agreed upon, sanctions should be applied to reinforce positive behaviour and punish non-compliance. The behaviour of every member of the school community from the cafeteria, security, and teacher should be consistent with expectations and the vision of the school. Preparation and handling of food in the kitchen, the conduct of the man at the gate and that of the teacher in the classroom must reflect the desire of the school to effect positive change. For instance, leaving a gate unmanned permits visitors to enter and leave the school as they please without scrutiny. If the gate is porous, dangerous weapons and illegal substances could find their way into their school undetected.
