1.
Question
(a) As a Headteacher, explain why it is important to prepare “Aims” and “Objectives”
for a school.
Aims and Objectives play an essential role in the education system since it gives direction to
your action serves as a guide to achieving goals.
As a Headteacher it is important to prepare aims and objectives for a school since they create a
vision of what the school needs to achieve and sustain . Therefore the aims will aid in having
clear goals for the school, while the objective will create the guidelines in determining the
strategy to be used to achieve same .These two will serve as a guide in accomplishing the goals
for the school since the headteacher will now have a clear idea of what needs to be done for the
upliftment of the school and the reason for doing such. Therefore these two must go hand- in-
hand since they allow the implementation of an activity to be done in an orderly manner. With
this in mind the headteacher will now put systems in place such as school improvement plan
since it creates a futuristic approach to management thereby enabling goals to be achieved
within a stipulated time period . As a result this will fostering a better school environment as it
relates to the personal and professional development of students and staff in an environment
conducive to effective teaching and learning.
Question
1
(b) List four groups of people who are needed in the preparation of “Aims and objectives of
a school.
Answer.
Four groups of people who are needed in the preparation of aims and objectives of a school are:
[Link] and staff
[Link] Board
3. Parent Teachers’ Association
[Link] leaders.
Question
2
(c)Explain Five (5) criteria to consider when preparing the school’s “Mission Statement”.
“A mission statement is a written declaration of an organization’s core purpose and focus
that normally remains unchanged over time. A properly crafted mission statement serves
as filter to separate what is important from what is not, and communicate a sense of
intended direction to the entire organization”
Therefore the mission statement is essential to a school because it will be the driving force to
the peddle the success of the school.
The criteria are as follows:
[Link] needs of the country
The needs of a country indicates the needs of its people. Therefore in order for the people of a
country to be productive this means that the existing needs must be met ,otherwise it will serve
as a barrier to the upliftment of its citizens and minimizes productivity .
The school plays a vital role in educating the nation, “ its purpose is also hinged on the
satisfaction of the national needs”. The need that is of paramount importance is the levels of
basic literacy and numeracy at an early age (elementary students) . The education for the
development of the nation and education and the disadvantage groups are also important factors
to consider among others . In addition, students basic needs must also be addressed in order for
them to function effectively in schools. If there is underemployment in a country or poor wages
and salaries, some parents or guardians of school children may not be a position to adequately
take care of them which may result in frequent absenteeism of some students and poor
performance which is evident in most state schools. Therefore to curb this problem more job
opportunities must be provided whereby parents can have a form of livelihood and also obtain a
decent salary to adequately take care of the basic needs of their families.
Since there are a vast number of single parents families that are seemingly on the increase, many
of whom find it difficult to maintain their families, there is a need for the government to have
public transportation for children attending public schools and also the introduction of school
feeding programs to secondary schools to cater for the poor or needy children as a form of
support system. This will be an agent to elevate some of the financial constraints placed on these
3
parents that result in poor school attendance of some students. With these support system from
the government there will be less absenteeism and hungry children in public schools and
therefore contribute to less students drop out and therefore aid in students performing to their
full potential.
[Link] purpose of the school
A school is an institution of learning, a place where formal education is acquired .Therefore
systems must be put in place to ensure effective delivery of content and to have students
gainfully occupied during instruction period. The students must become literate and be able to
compute numbers and read fluently at a certain age .Therefore regular assessments must be done
to measure the growth of students in the school. According to Margret Mead “ Children must be
taught how to think, not what to think.”
The purpose of a school is to educate students thereby equipping them with the skills and
knowledge needed to function effectively in society and also become productive citizens that
will contribute to the development of the country. They should be taught basic life skills which
will enable them to deal with situation in life with confidence and competence. Therefore
students interest and abilities should be identified and nurtured and also they should be guided
and given the support in setting personal learning goals. In addition, the school should assist
students as they make decisions regarding their own learning and the use of the power and
responsibility in the classroom and school. “In order to bring out the best in students , their skills
and learning styles should be assessed to facilitate learning and promote personal excellence
“.Students must be taught how to be responsible for their learning since they are the one’s to
benefit ultimately from it. They should also be taught how to be discipline as it relates to their
conduct and performance. once these positive attitudes are inculcated in students it will help
them to become responsible adults since the traits will remain with them throughout their lives .
In addition it is also the responsibility of the school to create a culture of care and community
where students learn to support one another and take responsibility for the well being of each
other and the total community”
4
According to Doris Lessing “Ideally, what should be said to every child, repeatedly, throughout
his or her school life is something like this: 'You are in the process of being indoctrinated. We
have not yet evolved a system of education that is not a system of indoctrination. We are sorry,
but it is the best we can do. What you are being taught here is an amalgam of current prejudice
and the choices of this particular culture. The slightest look at history will show how
impermanent these must be. You are being taught by people who have been able to
accommodate themselves to a regime of thought laid down by their predecessors. It is a self-
perpetuating system. Those of you who are more robust and individual than others will be
encouraged to leave and find ways of educating yourself — educating your own judgements.
Those that stay must remember, always, and all the time, that they are being moulded and
patterned to fit into the narrow and particular needs of this particular society.”
[Link] of students
“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it
today.” ― Malcolm X.
Each child that comes into the school system has different needs. Therefore teachers should be
sensitive to the needs of children .They should be cognizance that each child is unique and
therefore each child has different ability, learn differently and at different pace. Therefore
provision must be made to cater for the needs of each child. This can be done through the
different teaching methods .The teacher should be observant and proactive individuals if the
needs of the students are to be catered for adequately .
It is important to note that children do not come to school with blank minds .They have minds
that are active, they are able to judge and evaluate things for themselves. They bring much to
school with them such as their experiences, attitudes and their natural ability to acquire
knowledge and skills .Therefore students should not be treated as receptacles or a bank into
which money is deposited and retrieve when needed. For example a teacher standing in front of
the chalkboard and teaches students on different concepts then assessing them at the end of a
5
topic of two sub-topics without giving them an opportunity to share their ideas or thoughts about
the subject matters. Instead ,the teachers should create a classroom environment where students
are actively involved in the lesson, where they can share ideas and discover learning for
themselves and interact with each other and the teacher ,thereby giving student the opportunity
to express themselves. Her lesson must not be teacher centered but student centered. However,
students must be guided by the teacher.“ 'A teacher who stands back and just allows children to
pursue whatever interests come into their heads is practicing ... a travesty of child-centeredness'
(Wilson 1971:66). Rather, children constantly need the kind of confidence to proceed which
comes from receiving effective help. 'This help is the educative function of teachers' (Wilson
1971:68)”. The classroom environment must also be conducive in order for effective learning to
take place. Each student must be comfortable, there must be adequate furniture, proper lighting
and ventilation. They should also be Proper washroom facilities, boys and girls changing room
for physical education, sickbay where students can rest in case of unwellness.
[Link] of staff members
Staff members are the wheels through which the school runs or function .Therefore it is essential
for staff to have a comfortable and conducive environment in order for them to function
effectively in the classroom .There must be proper and adequate seating accommodation for each
teacher , adequate lighting and proper ventilation and good toilet facilities. Relevant and recent
teaching materials must be provided whereby teachers can be abreast with modern information
thereby equipping him or herself with the knowledge needed to function effectively in delivery
of content.
The staff members will also have needs that may pertain to their upward mobility or
development. For example the need to further their education such as pursuing a bachelor degree
or master’s programme etc. For example provision has been made by the Government of
Guyana to cater for these needs such as providing release for teachers to attend classes at the
University of Guyana and student loans . Their personal and professional needs must be met. The
headteacher must provide opportunity for staff members to be adequately guided and also be
given the opportunity for teachers to share their concerns and address same.
6
Professional development sessions are very essential in the growth of staff members because
they widen the knowledge of teachers thereby empowering and equipping them with the
information they need to function efficiently .For example staff members should be taught how
to complete student registers, how to be effective in the classroom and enforce discipline in the
school. Staff members must also be informed of their job description .This will aid in them being
more confident in executing their duties.
5. The values the school seeks to promote
According to Certificate Management of Homes and Families “Values is used to denote those
beliefs, attitudes, and purposes that are chosen freely, that are prizes and acted upon”
The school must consider the values it seeks to promote when preparing a mission statement. A
school which focuses on instilling moral values to its students, will have individuals who are
well disciplined since it will help to shape their behaviour pattern to what is desirable and
acceptable. This will be evident in their attitude as it relates to their performance and conduct
such punctuality, less absenteeism ,honest, courtesy . In addition it will also aid in students
being respectful to their teachers and fellow students . “your life is your statement to the world
representing your values, your beliefs, your dreams”.— David Arenson
Finally, staff members have a major task to play in transmitting these values to students.
Therefore they must be role models for students to emulate sine they are the ones to teach
students the importance of moral values, and why it should be upheld. “ Living in a way that
reflects one’s values is not just about what you do, it is also about how you do things.”Deborah
Day Subject areas such Home Economics, Health and Family Life Education also through
pastoral care and level meetings which is done in schools .However, more emphasis must be
placed on promoting values also pastoral care and level meetings since both are currently be
done at schools. Guidance and should be a part of the school’s curriculum to further aid in
promoting values.
Question
7
(d)Discuss four ways by which “Values” can be promoted in schools.
1. Honesty
It is said that honesty is the rarest wealth anyone can possess. This attribute is rarely seen in
individuals in today’s society. Therefore the school has a major task to play in imparting this rare
but valuable personality trait to students. Students must be rewarded when this attribute is
evident . This will serve a motivation to other students to do likewise.
“The community is regarded as the near environment and the society as the far environment”
The school is a part of the community and is also a source of value and as a result needs to play a
vital role in molding students into a path which will develop good character thereby enabling
them in becoming better individuals. “ we tell lies when we are afraid…… afraid of what we
don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us . But every
time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grow stronger”.~ Tad Williams .Therefore teachers need
to encourage students to be honest by informing them that a person is one who is also
trustworthy, one who is admired and valued by many. This should be maintained at all times
thereby boosting their credibility.
2. Discipline
“Many of life’s circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to
keep, the people you choose to be with, and the laws you choose to obey”. Charles Milhuff
In order for discipline to be promoted in schools, the rules must be must be reinforced and
maintained for all involve. Once these rules are established it is necessary to have sanctions
attached to each thereby serving as a form of control and curb indiscipline behaviour on the part
of both teachers and students
Teachers need to be role models for students. They are the one’s educating students, and
students learn from observation .The teacher must possess and maintained intellectual and moral
discipline. A teacher who encourages his student to be regular and punctual at school must fist
display such qualities, otherwise that teacher will never be able to win and command the respect
8
and obedience of students “Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, has greatly stressed the
need for discipline among people. According to Turn, if all the citizens observe certain moral
restrictions on themselves, the social, and political life of the country will improve”.
[Link] clubs
Religious groups will aid in promoting values in schools since they promote good behaviour and
will therefore help to direct students actions. They will become aware of the benefits derived
from adhering to the laws of a higher been. Most religious organizations such as Christianity
teaches one to be chase, love for humanity, obedience etc. Regular bible clubs meeting should be
held for student to have constant reminders of their purpose on the earth and that they are not
here by chance . This will help students to value themselves more and to strengthen students
self-esteem and boost their confidence. Regardless of the wrong they would have done they will
have the assurance of redemption and know there is one who loves them unconditionally. This
will help to remove all guilt and pain they once harbored within, and will now have a positive
attitude towards life knowing there is a new beginning for everyone .In addition they will no
longer have to hold on to their pass and have hatred and unforgiveness. This will help to free
them from all emotional pains and give them hope to face the future thus aiding in good
behaviour patterns.
[Link] and Counsling
According Guidance and Counseling. “ Counselling is the service offered to the individual who
is undergoing a problem and needs professional help to overcome it”
There is a vast number of students who are experiencing problems at home and need professional
help to overcome it. Because of these problems students often display indiscipline behaviour at
school .If these problem are not addressed the students will remain disturbed and tensed thereby
hampering the development of the student. It must be noted that counseling is needed for
extreme cases. There is a dire need for counseling service in schools to meet the different needs
of students. The counselor must be a good listener, emphatic understanding in order for those
9
feelings that is pent up within the student to be released. Once the issue is addressed there will be
positive change in the behaviour of the [Link] will help students to develop
holistically .Guidance and counseling service is needed because it will help students deal
effectively with the normal developmental tasks of adolescence and face life situations without
fear.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
10
Rita Dyer and Norma Maynard, C-SEC Home Economics And Beyond Management, New York:
Macmillan Publishing Ltd, 2004
Wadsley G. 2008 Self Development for Educational Learners, Module 1, Ministry of
Education,NCERD Guyana
Barker B (1987) 'Production and progress' in C Chitty (1987)Redefining the comprehensive
experience London: Bedford Way Papers/Kogan Page 38-49
[Link]
Guidance and Counseling for teachers parents and students [Link] Wishala SND
Fundamental Principles of Guidance & Counselling. –[Link]
11
12
