School
Heads are responsible for the overall operation of their schools. The role of
head teacher or the School Head has become more crucial now than ever before in
view of limited resources and increased expectations from schools. School
leaders play an important role in strengthening the ties between school staff and
the communities that surround them (Fullan, 2001).
But
I think that school leaders and their school staff alone cannot do much for the
improvement of the school and for the students without the support of the
community because community is a place where the children are brought up and learn
new skills and it provides platform for self learning. Thereby, community is
the learning ground for children which provides them opportunities for their
all round development. School leader should know how to use available resources
effectively for involving the community and its members for the development of
the school and students.
I
visited an Upper Primary School, which was located at Ajitgarh, Jhunjhunu,
which was headed by Mr. Sohan Lal, who was very enthusiastic about participation of community in the development
of his school. He regularly attended the meeting with the Sarpanch and he
always took help from the Sarpanch for the betterment of the school. For example
he took help from the Sarpanch for the maintenance of the floor of the school
and the Sarpanch was always ready to help the school.
If school takes
initiatives for making community as a member of school and involve parents in
decision making process for their child’s progress so parents also feel that
they are the part of the school and they have right to take decisions for their
child so that they feel comfortable and satisfied about their child’s holistic
development.
School leader can
involve community members with the help of organising different activities like
Bal Mela, Exhibition of hand made things prepared by students, Sports Day
Celebration, Annual Day Celebration etc. in which community members including
parents can visit and give their contribution in the development of school and
the students.
Reference:
Fullan, M. (2001) Leading in a culture of change. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass.
