THE PRIVATE SCHOOL: MEETING THE CURRENT TREND

By

RAHEEM B. FATAI Bsc (Hons), PGDE, M.Ed Chief Responsibility Officer, RBF Educational Consult, Lagos.

Paper presented at the 1st Proprietors Summit of League of Muslim School Proprietors Worldwide; Oyo State

Chapter on the 26th October 2011 (28th Dhul Qadah 1432AH).

INTRODUCTION
Access to poor education is tantamount to no access at all UNICEF SALIENT QUESTIONS I. Why does your school exist? II. What is the purpose or reason for being? III.Who do you expect to serve and what do they expect as a result of your education and training? IV. Do you run your school as a business, service or sacrifice?

V. How do you manage your members of staff during the holiday? VI. How often do you increase your school fees and the parents reaction?

VII. How do you employ your staff? - The school growth plan has four stages of development: a. Where are we now? (ASSESSMENT) b. Where do we like to be in the future (PLANNING) c. How best can we move in that direction (IMPLEMENTATION) d. How do we evaluate the changes we are making (EVALUATION)

CURRENT TREND
(A) VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
VISION - Clearly articulated statements of goals, principles and expectations for the entire learning community (roadmap) MISSION - Output for a successful school through qualified and professional personnel, serene environment and learners results. OBJECTIVES - Brief, concise and achievable based on vision and mission statement

(B) CORPORATE OUTLOOK

-

Customized Uniform, Crest, Badge, Flag, Logo, Sportswear, Cardigan, Sandal/Shoe, Socks etc.

- Classroom Arrangement - School Environment (internal and external)

-

Beautification: painting, decoration, flowers etc.

- Teachers dress : unique and attractive - Teaching Media : DVD, CD, Public Address System etc
-

Use of White Board/Magnetic board, Green Board etc.

(C)

TEACHER

- Frequent professional training - New approaches to schooling (Discipline of pupils / student) - Career path / Advancement - Coaching and Mentoring through monitoring and supervision, conference, unified and quality control exam, performance Appraisal etc. - Staff Motivation; Staff Day, Long Service Award, Competitive Remuneration, Performance Based Bonus/ 13 Month salary, Health and pension Scheme - Recruitment; Application Letter/CV, written exam, Oral interview (fluency and micro/practical teaching.

- Selection; Letter of appointment on probation

Staff Discipline and Corrective Measures WARNING (ORAL & WRITTEN) SUSPENSION DEDUCTION OF SALARY QUERY WORK WITHOUT PAY DEMOTION

COMPULSORY LEAVE WITHOUT PAY TERMINATION

SUMMARY DISMISSAL

(D)

SCHOOL PROGRAMMES

- Parent Forum has replaced Parent Teacher Association meeting (professionals are invited to address parents on health, business and religion) - Bi-ennial sporting activities like inter-house sports and excursion / field trip. - Free Health programmes for parents and the public - Competition; (inter & intra class, school, zone, state and inter faith) - Assembly (Devotion, Quiz, News/ Info) - Planning, implementation & Evaluation.

(E)
-

MANAGEMENT

Human (staff, parents, pupils/ students, community, profession (TRCN), contractors, visitors and government officials.

Material (School structure, instruction media, technology, information, time etc. Curriculum; Good team, continuous professional development, performance evaluation, periodic review and assessment. Records ; Admission Register, Log Book, visitors Book, Despatch, National Curriculum, State Education, National Policy on Education, Guidelines on School establishment, Law Book, General/Class Time table with subject analysis, scheme of work, attendance register, staff movement book, PTA/staff minutes books, Diaries Organogram, class indicator, lesson note/plan, marks book, stock/inventory, conduct book 9punishment and commendation) Files ; Pupils, staff with their passport, correspondence, utilities, government publication, memo, circular, old student Association, clubs / societies, committees, inspection, boarding etc.

(F)

LEGAL BASIS FOR SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

Register with Corporate Affairs commission as a company. Seek Approval from the state Government through Name search, site inspection, Pre-Approval and Accreditation. Engage the service of a legal officer (lawyer) or through your association. Keep all documents in duplication. Have written and signed documents with your landlord. Security/safety; security personnel, First Aid box, fire extinguisher, school bus etc.

(G)

FINANCE

- Prepare annual budget - Quarterly assessment of budget - Prepare following accounts (Receipt/ payment, income /expenditure) - Have a bank accounts - Place yourself on salary and allowances - Target saving ; Permanent site, School Bus, Annex, School structure Renovation, Staff August/ September salary etc. - Audit school account annually.

(H)

STAKEHOLDERS

- Government (all the Ministries) - Parents (PTA Executive) - School Management Board (proprietor, School Heads & Bursar)
-

Board of Governor (Proprietor, professional from various discipline)

- Staff (Cordinated & Cordial relationship) - Community (project, CDA/ CDC meetings, donation, programmes. - Pupils/student ; students Representative council (school projects and class captains).

(I) QUALITY ASSURANCE

Learners: Healthy, well nourished and ready to participate and learn and supported by their families and communities. Environment: Healthy, safe, protective gender sensitive, adequate resources and facilities. Children Development: Child centered teaching approaches, well managed classroom, skillful assessment to facilitate learning and reduce disparities.

Knowledge, Skills and attitude linked to positive participation in society. Assesss yourself Teacher quality, Results & Learning Achievements, Facilities & Resources.

CONCLUSION To be able to achieve the set goals and objectives in current trend, private school must - Maintain its success - Have continuous and consistent improvement - Be willing to embrace positive change when the need arises. - Be assessing and ensuring quality
-

Set standards (learning , school, facilities, professional teachers, governance & curriculum)

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING