Management Decision- Making in Primary Schools and the Function of Teachers in South East Senatorial Zone.
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objective of the study are;
- To examine the extent of school teachers‟ involvement in decision–making in primary school of south east senatorial zone
- To identify areas of decision issues in which teachers mostly involve in primary school
- To identify factors that influence teachers‟ involvement in decision–making in primary school of south east senatorial zone
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Concepts of Decision–Making
Various authors define decision making differently. While some authors (e.g. Newstrom and Pierce, 1990) focus on the process involved in decision making, other (e.g. Hoy and Miskel, 1991) emphasize the problem solved during a decision making. On the other hand, some other writers (e.g. Irwin, 1996) focused on the actors involved in decision making. Okumbe (1998) define decision–making as the process of specifying the nature of particular problem and selecting among available alternatives in order to solve the problem. This definition of decision–making indicates that a problem precedes any decision and that there must be a number of alternative courses of action from which an optimum course will be selected Knezevich (1969) also define decision and decision making as follows: A decision can be defined as a conscious choice action from among a well defined set of often competing alternatives. Decision–making is a sequential process culminating in a single decision or series of decisions (choices) which stimulate moves or actions. The sequences of activities called decision–making result in the selection of course of action from alternative course intended bring about the future state affairs envisage (p.32). Decisions are a composite of values, facts, and assumptions. Each or all of these may be subject to change from time. Decision–making, therefore, is not a onetime activity but rather a continuing enterprise (Okumbe, 1998). Every successful organization must make decision that enable the organization to achieve its goal and which meet the critical needs of members of the organization (Morphet et al, 1982). Moreover, Alkin (1992) state that “decisions are made daily 9 in school about the conduct of work, the distribution of resources, and short term goals” (p.1168). Decision involve policies (the definition of objectives), resources (people, money materials, and authority), and means of execution (integration and synthesis). Insofar as the value content of this type of decision is concerned, the school principal should identify two major values; policy decision that seek purposive action; executing decision that seek coordination‟s of action (Wilson, 1996 p.131). Thus, decision-making is very important and significant in school and in any organization at large to conduct work, distribute resources, plan short-term and long–term of bring about the future state of affairs as an intention, and activities of the school. Moreover, a school leaders‟ main job is to lead the school through effective. Decision making, and quite often they have to decide on what is to be done, who to do it, and when and where is to be done.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to management decision-making in primary schools and the function of teachers in south East senatorial zone.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
INTRODUCTION
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on the use of management decision-making in primary schools and the function of teachers in south East senatorial zone. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of management decision-making in primary schools and the function of teachers.
Summary
This study was on management decision-making in primary schools and the function of teachers in south East senatorial zone. Three objectives were raised which included: To examine the extent of school teachers‟ involvement in decision–making in primary school of south east senatorial zone, to identify areas of decision issues in which teachers mostly involve in primary school, and to identify factors that influence teachers‟ involvement in decision–making in primary school of south east senatorial zone. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staffs of selected primary schools in Enugu local government of Enugu state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made headmasters, class teachers, teachers and headmistresses were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Teachers have dual role to play. One is their role in instruction and their other role is in participating in school management and decision-making. The study also indicated that teachers participated most in implementing students‟ affairs and discipline problems. However, from this finding obtained, it can be concluded that, there might be misperception in identifying teachers‟ roles and responsibilities by both teachers, headmasters, PTA and educational office officials; that is, they might have considered the role and responsibility of teachers as teaching and learning activities only, and other activities of the school as the role and responsibilities of the management of the school
Recommendation
As can be ascertained from information obtained from school leaders, teachers and educational office officials, most of the time some teachers prefer trying to influence or make recommendations on what has been done by headmasters and other rather than, especially those who have more experience, involving themselves in the issues. So the researcher recommended that rather than commenting at a distance, they have to involve both physically and mentally in school decision-making and contribute their part.
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