School heads in the Department of Education are sought to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in all facets of school leadership.
Recently, the Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones has approved all regional directors to begin the progressive growth phase of face-to-face lessons for both public and private schools, after the President's approval of the suggestion for progressive expansion of face-to-face classes. Considering this memorandum and being under General Community Quarantine, a lot of things has to be prepared and done in a minimum amount of time.
Now that we are facing the challenge of the new normal school leadership and in the implementation of the limited face-to-face classes, school heads are in dire need of one thing: Value-Based Leadership. This form of leadership is based on the recognition that special interests and societal power can inhibit the advancement of some ethical views. Therefore, a leader who simply considers the fulfillment of a mission statement has only completed half of the work.
Now, more than ever, we are living in a world so vastly changing that is why school leaders must inhibit flexibility and adaptability to all the sudden changes in the workplace while we uphold the standards in providing high quality basic education to the learners which are the most important stakeholder of education.
Since it is expected for the school heads to work together with the whole work force of the school, one must act promptly while ensuring the accuracy in carrying out the plans and preparations for the arrival of the learners. In doing so, school heads must also make sure that in every step and every decision made, one must at all times be bound by the legal bases of the policies being implemented concerning school- based management.
We are aware of the negative connotation of this sudden huge leap of change. However, as school heads, we must all give light to our men to see the good in this undertaking for the benefit of all. We should be able to set an example to our colleagues in upholding the importance of obedience and how it reflects on our values and behavior as leaders.
We may be facing a new beginning at the almost end of the academic year, I implore that more than anyone else, the school heads must be the proprietor of obedience among all the manpower of their respective schools. Being able to not only have knowledge and understanding of the new and modified policies but also actually being able to adhere to them is I believe a one true hallmark of an academically matured school head.
Kudos to all our leaders that continuously serve the new generation of today regardless of the risks being brought by this pandemic. May we all be able to reap the fruits of our hard work for the great future of our homeland. Remember who you are. More than a frontliner, a school leader.