SCHOOL BUSINESS IN NIGERIA: THE SECRET BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF THE MARIST BROTHERS

Historically, formal education was brought into Nigeria by the missionaries. But after the Nigerian civil war, almost every school in the country was taken over by the government. However, with the continuing decline in quality of government owned schools, most of the schools were returned to missions. Also, many private individuals have also opened schools as money making ventures. As it stands today, there is very high preference for private schools over public schools making school business one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria today.

However, a number of entrepreneurs who rushed into the school business under the impression that it was a money making machine were getting frustrated because they have not seen the windfall it promised. Thus, a number of school owners across Nigeria have been approaching us in the Marist Brothers of the Schools asking us to educate them on the secret behind our success story. According to most of them, just in a short while, the Marist Brothers of the Schools have come from a virtually obscure position to become the owners of the best secondary schools in this part of the world. So they want to know the secret behind our success so they can replicate such in their various schools. The answer we have always given is ORGANIZATION and this revolves around the duties and roles of the administrator or the principal.

We have organized seminars on how effective administration is the game changer in running and growing schools. This essay is for benefit of those who have not had the opportunity to attend any of our workshops. I will itemize and discuss those roles of the principal that will help you to turn your schools into a success story.

ROLE AND DUTIES OF PRINCIPALS

The principal is a part of a Divisional   Administrative Team whose function is to support and assist the schools in meeting the overall objectives of the division and the needs of individual students. Thus, the role of the principal is to provide leadership, direction and co-ordination within the school. His/her main focus should be to develop and maintain effective educational programs within his/her school.

In other words, the duties of the School Principal are all encompassing as all aspects of the schools operations are either directly or indirectly under his/her jurisdiction. In general terms, the principal shall be responsible for: (a) the detailed organization of the school; (b) the development of the  instructional program; (c) the assignment of duties to and the supervision of members of his/her staff;   (d) the general operation of the school facility.

The amount of time a principal will be able to devote to administrative duties will vary according to the size and grade level of the school and the amount of time released from teaching, and the demands of a particular year. However the following are included in the powers and responsibilities of the principal.

1. Leadership and Climate
2. Continually endeavour to improve the operating effectiveness of the school for which he/her is responsible.
3. Keep informed on current practices and techniques relating to school programs, teaching and administration by attending meetings and professional development conferences, and reading professional materials.
4. When not involved in teaching duties, to devote as much time as possible to the supervision of the school; observing methods of instruction and endeavouring to improve the efficiency of the staff and the school in general.
5. Suggest appropriate changes in and ensure adherence to approved policies, practices and procedures within his/her area of responsibility.
6. Programming
7. Co-ordinate and foster the development of programs within the school to best meet the needs and interests of the students. This includes the establishments, supervision, and evaluation of special education programs where a child needs one.
8. Assist the teaching staff in the development, implementation, modification, and selection of curriculum materials, and keep the superintendent informed as to any modification in or substitution of approved courses.
9. Develop and support a high degree of student morale through curricular and extracurricular activities and services and co-ordinate the participation of all members of the teaching staff in the in the extracurricular program.
10. School Organization and Staffing
11. Participate with the School Management in the selection of professional, clerical and support staff.
12. Be responsible for the preparation of timetable, class list and schedules, and supervision schedules and be responsible for their functioning.
13. Hold regular staff meeting for the purpose of discussing educational and administrative matters.
14. Be responsible for the proper registration and transfer of students in the school and for the maintenance of up-to-date student cumulative records.
15. Maintain or direct the maintenance of other records and files, and the preparation and submission of reports as required.
16. Establish appropriate procedures for the control of all school textbooks, materials, equipment, etc.
17. Have authority over Faculty of Education Students accepted at his/ her school.
18. Where there is no vice principal, designate a member of the teaching staff of that school to assume the duties and responsibilities of the principal in the principal’s absence and inform the staff of the person designated.
19. Professional Development
20. Promote the professional and academic growth of his/her staff through staff meetings, in-service training and personal contact
21. Take an active role in the selection, planning, and implementation of professional development activities for the staff in cooperation with the superintendent’s Office and the division’s professional development committee.
22. Staff Supervision and Evaluation
23. As a building administrator, the principal is responsible for the daily supervision of the school, its students, facilitators, professional and support staff, volunteers, and personnel from outside agencies.
24. See that every teacher on duty in the school at least 10 minutes before the opening of the forenoon session and at least 5 minutes before the opening of the afternoon session.
25. Shall evaluate the effectiveness of each member of the staff in accordance with the establishment plan and shall forward written reports to the Management
26. Be responsible for the development and conduct of an orientation program for all new teachers new to his/her staff.
27. See that instructions are prepared for the guidance of substitute teachers.
28. Student Control and Supervision
29. Establish a climate in which students can develop self-discipline
30. To have disciplinary authority over each student while on school premises, while going to and from school, while riding on school buses and while taking part in authorised school activities.
31. To have authority over activities sponsored and conducted by the student organizations of his/her school.
32. Be responsible for the provision of supervision of students and student activities in the school buildings, on school play grounds, while loading and unloading from school buses, or involved in school trips or other student activities sponsored by the school.
33. Work cooperatively with outside agencies such as Community Health Services, Children’s Aid Society, Child Care and Development Services.
34. Responsibility to refer to the Public Health Nurse any child who appears to have a communicable disease or to be in need of attention for other health reasons.
35. The principal shall be present with Police Officers if they interview pupils in the school.
36. See that no pupil is allowed to leave the school premises on errands without his/her express permission.
37. Student Evaluation And Reporting
38. To familiarize himself/herself with the general pupil progress and to assist in its development.
39. Co-ordinate and /or direct the evaluation of students’ progress and achievement and the provision of regular reports to parents as required by Board Policy.
40. Communication and Public Relations
41. Maintain communications with parents or guardians regarding the total school program, student achievement, placement and behaviour.
42. Inform parents of the school activities through newsletters, information nights, parent/ teacher conferences, etc.
43. Budgeting and Buying
44. Be responsible for the administration of instructional supplies, budget for school and safe keeping of monies or materials that belong to the school or the school division. Establish procedures for the purpose of receipt of materials and supplies necessary to support the instructional program. Ensure that there is a system of accounting of monies from student activities, student fees, gifts or other funds belonging to any student group within the school.
45. Health, Safety, Plant Supervision
46. Develop and foster a sense of pride and respect for the school property so that the facility is an attractive place.
47. Ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to safeguard the health and general well being of his/her staff and pupils of his/her school. To this end he/she shell see that pupils and staff are adequately trained to make effective any plans necessary for their safety.
48. Establish procedures whereby the access of visitors to the school can be monitored and controlled. This would include access by salespersons, guest speakers and former students.
49. Organize and supervise patrols where applicable, make readily available first aid supplies and treatment.
50. Inspect the school playground and school buildings to see that they are free from hazards which might cause accidents and he/she shall notify the proper authorities of any conditions which need to be remedied.
51. In the event of where damage is serious and appears to have been deliberate, it shall be reported to the police department in addition to the Division Office.
52. Report any accidents or injuries of students or staff to the management on the forms provided.
53. Conduct fire drills as required by regulations and see that all personnel within the school are familiar with all procedures to be followed in case of a fire. Fire exit signs shall be placed in each room.
54. Establish effective controls governing the use of any medication, pain killers (aspirin, etc.) by students in the school.
55. Assume responsibility for the general cleanliness and maintenance of his school.
56. Be responsible for the direction of the work of the caretaker in the routine cleaning of the school premises. If difficulties arise, they shall be reported through the secretary-treasurer.
57. Work with the secretary-treasurer in the planning of capital projects and the routine maintenance of school buildings and grounds.
58. The principal shall control use to be made of school buildings and grounds in accordance with Board Policy.

Duties of the Vice Principal

The vice principal shall, in absence of the principal, assume the duties and responsibilities of the principal. Other duties of the Vice-Principal shall be those worked out by mutual agreement with the principal.

CONCLUSION

Running a school is like executing a military operation; allow any aspect of it to chance and risk not just bungling the operation but also bring to grief the lives of those involved. Also, just as the organizational skill of a field commander makes or mars any military operation, any secondary school stands or falls depending on the organization abilities of the principal. Consequently, if you want your school to grow and succeed then, get some special training on management, or employ someone who has something going for him or her in management. This secret is what stands Marist Brothers of the Schools out among all the secondary schools in Nigeria.