Thrust Areas to be focused & Expected Behavior of a Principal
The dictionary meaning of principal is someone who is the most important in an organization and becoming principal means shouldering heavy responsibility. Being familiar with the school functioning for so long and attached with the key post in education institution, I was quite confident of my abilities. Initially, I found myself in the seventh heaven and the world seemed to have changed for me when I heard about my selection as Principal. It appeared that administration would be a smooth sailing with so many hands to assist and follow me, but soon all the idealism vanished away and I was left to face the bitter truth that administration is not child’s play. The post is very demanding and challenging. Being an efficient teacher for so many years does not in any way guarantee being a good administrator. I realize today that managing human resources is an extremely different task as all employees have their own priorities too which sometimes do not match with your planning and organizational requirement. Everyday has moments of joy and sorrow for you in store. There are times you are sure that the school can run smoothly the way you want it, but very next moment you drop from the blue heaven when you encounter the tough and a new situation. All the rules and instructions fail, because every situation is typical in nature and needs a typical and unique treatment. But I know ‘uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’; still I am confident that being a good and successful principal is not anything impossible. I would like to list below a few tips I have learnt as principal till date :
Common Thrust Areas
- Admissions– Follow the admission guidelines strictly, plan the dates of registration, test. Declaration of result, display of list, admission process in a full proof manner. Also fix days and timing for admissions.
- Fixed timing for academic work, office work and meeting with visitors.
- Examination to be well planned and fully monitored especially in secondary and senior secondary wings and it should be planned at cluster/regional level in the line of CBSE.
- PTA and Subject Committee Meeting is a regular feature of the school on regular interval & every last working day of the month respectively. Meeting with aspirations of parents and providing all required aids/ support to staff is a challenging task in an educational institution.
- Excursion & Inter house co-curricular activities- planning & execution till 31st December and bridging it with curricular calendar removing learning gaps of participating students.
- Discipline & Supervision– Monitoring the activities of teachers and students by regular academic supervision of classes, checking of home assignment and syllabus covered.
- Liaison Work with chairman, members of SMC, Alumni & local administration etc. is necessary to meet routine requirements and ensure learning outcomes in school.
- Issue of Certificates– Verify each and every entry thoroughly (date of birth, spellings, date of admission, etc.) in Transfer Certificate and other documents before issuing it from school.
- Financial Knowledge- Knowing financial acts/rules & regulations, Budgetary provisions, TDS & EPF/EIS deduction etc and verifying Tally vouchers while signing cash book entries and preparing annual account for institution is a must for principal to act as a DDO (Drawing & Disbursing Authority).
- Teacher’s training & Academic Council made to supervise the working of teachers and students and think of improving academic status of school.
General Behavior of the Principal
- Tolerance is a virtue and it is one of the most required traits of a principal. Being tolerant and cultivating tolerance among others is also important because anger is a weak man’s imitation of strength and school should not be allowed to be a place of negative thoughts and energy.
- Never try to please everyone as primary concern of a principal is welfare of students and the institution. Carrot and stick policy is a set norm for any organization which should be implemented to achieve organizational objectives.
- Analyze issues critically but with a constructive and positive spirit.
- Be innovative and receptive to novel ideas from all corners.
- Don’t crumble over what you don’t have, instead be thankful for what you have been left with and try to nurture and enrich it.
- Be good to all but trust none completely. Don’t make anyone indispensable for you. Be diplomat while answering and dealing with all stakeholders.
- Avoid assigning duties to individuals but groups or committees. It will develop confidence in staff.
- Be bold and firm in decision making. Respect everyone’s view but act judiciously keeping larger interest of students and institution.
- Be a role model for your subordinates and students. You are the torch bearer and the source of inspiration for them.
Now that I have been selected as a principal I would always try to do justice to my post because I have been entrusted with the rare opportunity to save the innocent buds who may blossom one day. I will remember that principal means being patient, resourceful, impartial, noble, cautious, ideal, proficient, active and liberal if need be.
Written by :
Ambrish Kumar Gupta
Principal
Kendriya Vidyalaya Rajkot. Gujarat.
Email- akgkvs@gmail.com
Education- M.A. in Ancient Indian History & Archaeology, B.ED.
NET Qualified in History, Archaeology, Indian Culture.
इतिहास आज : ज्ञान का केंद्र 