Thursday, 9 March 2017

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION


INTRODUCTION
School organization is a part of educational process in the country. A well organized school is the backbone of the education. Since they are known as mini societies, their organization plays an important role in developing the education among die masses. Students of the school learn and acquire knowledge in the well organized school. An organization is defined as the necessary combination of human efforts, material equipments brought together in a systematic and effective correlation to accomplish the desired results.

          School organization comes under the broader umbrella of school management. The school management deals with the overall policy framing and ensuring the smooth functioning of the school, while the school organization is about the actual organization of resources, events, personnel of a school. In a school, we find the distribution of work. Different people are assigned duties and made responsible for the same. They are also given due powers to discharge their duties effectively. The co-ordination between different personnel is also ensured to organize the activities of the school properly. There is also a clearly laid down organizational structure which exists in the school and which also
help in effective organization of the school activities.

Thus school organization means
Ø    Organization of different types of activities of a school
Ø    Organization of Material resources of a school
Ø    Organization of a school personnel
Ø    Organization of Ideas and Principles into school system which includes building relationships, creating conducive climate for work at the school etc.

School Organization

Meaning of School Organization
School organization is a combination of two words, via, school and organization. In order to understand the meaning of school organization, it is essential to understand the meaning of school and organization separately.
Meaning and Definition of School
The term school has many different meanings. Some people consider School as a place where the students utilize their leisure hours profitably. Some regard it as a seat of learning; some others believe that is a society in miniature. Some others interpret school as the temple of Goddess Saraswati, where the students sit together forgetting all their differences on the basics of caste, creed, colour and sex. Because of such differences, the scholars define the term in the following manner.
John Dewey
“The school is a special environment where a certain quality of life and certain types of activities are provided with the object of securing child’s development along desirable lines”.
Ryburn
“The school is a co-operative society, a place where giving or taking of co-operation is experienced by all”.
Nunn
“The school must be thought of primarily not as a place of learning where certain knowledge is learnt but as place where young are disciplined in certain form of activity namely those that are of the greatest and most permanent significance in the wider world”.
K. G. Saiyidian
“The school is a centre of rigorous life. It is an indirect intimate contact with the realities of life around, reflecting the best and worthiest of its features which are simple enough to appeal to the child”.

Meaning and Definition of Organization
Organization means to bring into existence. Organization is directly connected with planning and efforts made by the people. It is a medium, through which goals and the objectives envisaged by the administration are achieved. Administration is pre-executive stage while actual execution occurs or should occur at the organizational level. It is the coordinated activities of a group of persons constituting the organization to lead the common goal.
Organizations are of two types, formal and informal. The formal organization is one established by the external authority. The positions held by the people in such an organization are determined by some external authorities. For instance, a college has been established by the state government or by some private enterprise. The positions in the college that is, of the Principal, vice-principal, professors, readers and lecturers or of ministerial staff are determined not by the workers in the college but by the external authorities.
An informal organization grows out of a formal organization or otherwise on account of the interpersonal relationships of the group. There is a common affinity among the members of the formal organization. Each member of the group is able to interact with every other member of the group. The group is formed voluntarily to achieve certain objectives. The group develops its own structure or technique of working. There is no hierarchical order in the group. They are all more or less equal in all respects expect for doing their assignments allotted by the group itself.
Organization can also be interpreted in another two ways: For example, when we say that this school is under D. A. V. Organization, the organization refers to a body or a controlling organization. When we say the organization of the school is up to the mark, we mean setting up of things. Thus, organization is concerned with the pre- execution stage of a school. It is a stage when all arrangements of a school are made available. The term organization has been defined as:
J. B. Sears
          “It is a machine for doing work. It may be composed primarily of persons of materials of ideas, of concepts, symbols, forms, rules, principles or more often of a combination of these. The machine may work automatically or its operation may be subject to human judgement and will”.
W. H. Ryburn
“Organization simply means the practical measure which we take to ensure that the system of work we use will be of the greatest possible assistance in carrying out our aims and of the greatest benefit to our children.”
Elsbrel
“Organisation of the school is the administrative expression of educational theory”
                    When we combine the two terms, school and organization, we mean school organization is nothing but setting up of an institution. The important steps for school organization are acquiring land for the school campus, construction of school building, furnishing the class room with furniture, admitting the students of school, appointing headmaster and assistant teachers, organizing curricular and co- curricular activities, maintaining cumulative record cards etc. These organizational aspects of the school are mainly concerned with those systems and processes which contribute to the achievement of the set goals. It covers all human and physical factors which may be in view. The school activities should keep a particular aim in view. For example, we organize co-curricular and social activities so as to generate a proper atmosphere in which the moral character of the students may be developed on the desired lines. For achieving this, emphasis will have to be laid on the appointment of worthy, morally sound and dedicated teachers.
School organization is concerned with a system in which the headmaster, the teacher, the students, and other related persons come as a team to undertake the task of running the school on sound lines. Hence by school organization we mean the act of organizing all available physical and human resources in an organized manner to attain the objectives of education.

Characteristics of an ideal school organization

          Following are the characteristics of an ideal organization. An ideal school organization should have all these characteristics.

Ø Simplicity: This means there should be clarity of roles, duties, responsibilities and powers on the part of each person working in a school. This avoids confusion and chaos leading to better organization of the activities of the school.

Ø Dynamism/Flexibility: An ideal school organization is one in which any kind of change can take place without disturbing any other activity. It should have scope for additions and alterations. The rules and regulations should be flexible to meet the needs of the school.

Ø Stability: A school organization should be dynamic but it does not mean that it should be in fluid condition without any norm or standard rules and regulations. What is expected is the balance between rigidity and flexibility.

Ø Clarity about Powers and Duties: There should be clear understanding of the powers and duties of individuals working together in a school. It is necessary to avoid confusion and laying down responsibilities. Similarly there should be balanced allotment of powers and duties.

Ø Coordination: In an ideal school organization there should coordination between different activities and also coordination between physical resources and human resources. The school should bring together all people and all things to contribute for the realization of objectives.

Ø Acceptance of human elements: An ideal school organization should accept human elements. Here the personnel should be free to express their feelings, opinions, offer constructive suggestions and bring about healthy changes in the school.

Ø Control: Control is the element which puts a break to an activity and then evaluates the results. It is required to safeguard against the misuse of powers in the school. There are different models available to understand the concept and nature of school organization. They are bureaucratic model, system and community model.

Aims and Objectives of School Organization
                    The rapid expansion of knowledge both in content of subject matter and teaching methodology has important implications for school organization. Even though teachers are assumed to be professionally competent, it is not appropriate to assume that they do not need a highly specialized support system through school organization. School organization, being a specialized support system has the following aims and objectives.
1.   Organizing the School for Democratic Living
          Democracy is the government by the many. If the many are to rule themselves and no more to be ruled by the tyrant and dictator, they must be educated first. Thus school in the modern society becomes a place for teaching students about democratic living. Therefore the school should be organized in such a manner that it will enable the students to be inspired with the spirit of fellow- feeling, brotherhood and social service.
2.   All round Development of Students
All round development of the students continuing their studies in a school is the chief aim of school organization. It provides opportunities to the students for the balanced development of their personality. Therefore, it is desirable to organize the school in a manner so as to develop the physical, mental, moral and social qualities of the students. Thus the school keeps an eye on the developmental needs of the children. The community establishes schools with a view to serve its own purpose by providing right training for citizenship.
3.   The Study of the Students
          The students constitute an important aspect of school organization. Student’s needs, hopes, aspirations, interests, achievement levels and attitudes are important sources of data for developing educational goals and need to be studied on a comprehensive, intensive and continuous basis. Such study is an important aim of school organization. Since students are a part of society, the study of students contributes to the understanding of students needs.
4.   To Follow Definite Procedure
          In reaching a decision, school organization should spend much time on the what, the how, the when and the who. The procedure to be followed will be definite, even though the results may be in doubt. All the members of the staff should be encouraged to watch the results and participate in an evaluation of its worth. By action, the group will develop more faith in group work.
5.   Intended Engagement Opportunities
Intended engagement opportunities are the conditions which are developed in anticipation of the instructional process. The assumption is that the student can achieve certain behavioural objectives through a particular engagement. Examples of engagement opportunities could include packaged materials, films and activities. Such materials could be developed within or outside the school system. The planning and implementation for development of such materials is an important aim of school organization, which should involve students, teachers and administrators.

6.    Curriculum change
          The school is a society in miniature. To bring the school and the community closer to each other, attempts must be made for curriculum change. Curriculum change should be initiated by school organization system to enable schools to undertake innovations in certain areas. Community dissatisfaction with the existing programme may lead to curriculum change. If a large segment of the community believes that reading can be taught more effectively, it can exert pressure on the Board of Education that results in efforts to change the programme of teaching.

7.   To develop a permissive atmosphere
          Permissiveness, as used by psychologists, means personal freedom to express a point of view or an idea without fear of recrimination because it is in opposition to one held by someone with power or authority. If the atmosphere is really permissive, the members of the staff value the person who is different rather than attempt to force him to conform. The person who is different is encouraged to challenge, because out of that challenge comes more insight for all. Achieving this attitude is not easy. In some staff, the person who is different threatens other people and they hunt for ways of silencing him. School organization aims at developing a permissive atmosphere in the school.

8.   To develop among the teachers a sense of belonging
Teachers should feel that they belong to the group with which they work. Desire to be accepted or to remain a part of the group is more powerful in conditioning. School organization should aim at developing a sense of belonging among the teachers and try to provide an atmosphere of free interaction to innovative ideas for the progress of students learning.
9.   Help in personal problems
          People will grow intellectually and professionally through the interaction involved in solving educational problems, if they are deeply troubled with personal problems; their potential for growth is not released. Actions by school organization to reduce tension contribute to the progress of education.

Principles of School organization
1)   Child- centered principle
          Since education aims at the all round development of the child, it is essential that school organization should be child centered. As a result, it can help in developing student’s abilities, innate qualities, emotions, attitudes and natural traits. The school organization should be such as to generate an atmosphere which may help the child in the development of his social, moral, physical and mental capabilities. To provide opportunity to every child for his optimum development school activities should be properly organized.
2)    Community centered principle
          One of the objectives of education is to make the child an active, useful and worthy member of the society. Therefore, along with child centered principle, community centered principle should be adopted in schools. When we try for the development of the child as an individual, we should also make arrangements for the progress of the community. School organization should keep in view the developmental needs of the children as well as the community ideals, aspirations, needs, values and culture.

3)   Democratic principles
                   The school prepares the future citizens and inculcates democratic values in them. The democratic ideals are inculcated in the minds of the children through the school activities. Students can develop knowledge about democratic principles if we can organize schools on democratic lines. The principles of co-operation and co-ordination in the entire school system can help the students to develop knowledge about democratic living. School organization should be planned in such a manner that the headmaster, the teachers, the students and other staff members work with team spirit. They should feel that school organization is their own activity. If a single individual dominates over school organization, all democratic ideas are destined to fail.
4)   Principle of optimum use of available resources
                   Education has certain objectives to be achieved. In order to achieve these objectives, optimum use of available resources must be made while organizing the school. The physical and human resources of the community should be used in such a manner that the items, money and energy are utilized effectively for proper organization of the schools. Recruitment of teachers, use of up-to-dare teaching techniques, use of equipment, preparation of textbooks and construction of curriculum should be made in such a manner that they can be directed towards fulfilling the educational needs of the students and avoiding the misuse of time, energy and money.
5)    Principle of flexibility
                   Society is dynamic in nature, not static. Since education aims at developing the abilities of the child in a manner that would help in the development of the society, it becomes necessary to effect changes in school organization from time to time. Therefore, school organization should be dynamic in nature, not static.

Need for School Organization
School organization facilitates the achievement of organizational goals and maintaining the organization for the progress of education. We need school organization for the following reasons:
     i.        Constant Process of Change
          School education is in a constant process of change. There is always a need to facilitate student learning in a specified direction in this changing process. School organization, which includes the management of teaching, planning and supervision of instruction, can help to achieve the goal of student learning; therefore, we need school organization to achieve the above goals.

   ii.        Goal Development
The educational system is a sub-system of the society and therefore the society not only provides human and non- human resources but also has certain expectations that the schools will achieve certain goals. Since society is in a constant process of change, the needs of society change and so do the goal specifications. It is necessary for the educational institution to be responsive to these changing expectations through school organization. School organization helps the teachers and others who are concerned with school education to continuously examine and evaluate the progress of education in a changing society.
Significance of School Organization

Ø It is very much necessary to ensure smooth functioning of a school.
Ø It is necessary to avoid under and over utilization of the resources of a school there by ensuring optimum and judicious use of the resources.
Ø It is important to make best use of the capabilities of the school personnel because if they are allotted the work depending upon their area of expertise, interest, experience they are likely to deliver work at the best of their abilities.
Ø It is necessary to save time, increase clarity and efficiency of work as there is clarity of duties to be performed and responsibilities to be held on the part of the school personnel.
Ø It is significant to achieve the aims and objectives of a school smoothly.
Ø It is important to create a professional image of a school.
Ø It lays stress on building relationships among the school personnel thereby helps in increasing mutual trust, interdependency which is necessary to build team spirit among the school personnel.

Scope of School Organization

     The scope of school organization can be understood form the following points. Each point includes a wide variety of activities involved in the school system. The points are as follow

Ø Organization of academic and administrative work of a school 
             This includes the major areas like planning the teaching work, organization of learning resources such as library, e-content and also organization of co-curricular activities. The organization of administrative work deals with organization of all the old and present records, registers of different types and other documents of the school. They are to be well organized and preserved. Besides, it includes the task of chalking out the duties and responsibilities of administrative personnel for smooth administrative work.

Ø Organization of Physical resources of the school
           This helps in organizing all the physical resources of a school to ensure their optimum utilization. Even planning for new resources is also considered under this.

Ø Organization of organizers / personnel of the school
This deals with assigning work to the school personnel, chalking out the duties and responsibilities, delegating powers for decision making and directing and ensuring coordination between different school personnel. In addition to this, it also refers to the organization of various activities for ensuring their professional and personal growth, sustaining their motivation and maintaining harmony and developing interpersonal relationships among them.

Ø Democratic organization
          This refers to make the school work democratically following the policy of participatory management.

Ø Organization of conducive climate for smooth working
               It is very important to make the school personnel work efficiently and devotedly. Mere salaries will not help to develop a sense of commitment for an organization. Adequate working hours,  freedom to carry out innovations, scope for professional growth, acceptance of human relationships and many other factors help in creating conducive climate for working. A good school organization should always strive to create such type of climate which create and sustain the motivation of school personnel for the growth and development of the school.

CONCLUSION
          School organization means looking after the internal and external affairs of the school, the proper use of the recourses available and taking proper cared of the resources so that teaching and learning can take place in a better way. School organization is concerned with a system in which the headmaster, the teacher, the students, and other related persons come as a team to undertake the task of running the school on sound lines. Hence by school organization we mean the act of organizing all available physical and human resources in an organized manner to attain the objectives of education.

REFERENCE
1. B.N. Dash (2007); School Organization, Administration and Management; Neelkamal Publications Pvt. Ltd. Delhi.
2. S. K. Kochhar (1990); Secondary School Administration; Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. Delhi.
3. S. Mathur (1998); Teacher and Secondary School Education; Vinod Pustak Mandir; Agra.

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