Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Visits of Different Teams to School
Team from Handicapped International
Red Cross Teams
Bond For sustainable Development
Study Camp Team
Supervision Team , Ministry of Education
Audit team
Visit of Head of Education Unit(South Central Province)
Red Cross Teams
Bond For sustainable Development
Study Camp Team
Supervision Team , Ministry of Education
Audit team
Visit of Head of Education Unit(South Central Province)
Visits of Different Teams to School
Team from Handicapped International
Red Cross Teams
Bond For sustainable Development
Study Camp Team
Supervision Team , Ministry of Education
Audit team
Visit of Head of Education Unit(South Central Province)
Red Cross Teams
Bond For sustainable Development
Study Camp Team
Supervision Team , Ministry of Education
Audit team
Visit of Head of Education Unit(South Central Province)
Involving Community in School Matters
Through my experience and by reflecting on the views of the different representative bodies of the community and individuals concerned with the development of community, I came to know that a participatory approach in management of the organization would be more fruitful. I believe that participation-based management is a process in which all stakeholders of the organization and the relevant community should be given opportunity to take part in the management process and decision making depending on the time and effort they are capable of contributing.
Hence I focused on involving the direct stakeholders of the school as well as the representatives of different bodies of the community such as NGO's and government offices. This view was first discussed within the school with direct stakeholders and with their approval rest of the community was involved. This process enabled in gathering more funds for the developmental programs of the school as well the decisions made were more valid and strong as the decisions were collective decisions of the community. On the other hand the impact was anticipated to be long lasting.
Thus participatory process in management proved to be more promising for the progress of the school.
Hence I focused on involving the direct stakeholders of the school as well as the representatives of different bodies of the community such as NGO's and government offices. This view was first discussed within the school with direct stakeholders and with their approval rest of the community was involved. This process enabled in gathering more funds for the developmental programs of the school as well the decisions made were more valid and strong as the decisions were collective decisions of the community. On the other hand the impact was anticipated to be long lasting.
Thus participatory process in management proved to be more promising for the progress of the school.
Practice of Collegiality
Though not very common in most distant islands from Male' the capital, my intention was to implement a collegial approach in the management. Taking views from all the stakeholder as well as distributing authority among capable staff was something which boosted the progress of the school.
whether people believe it or not I am certain that the use of collegial approach and proper contribution of the stakeholders (teachers, administrative staff, parents, students and the community) provided the gateway for the school to progress so rapidly within a short period.
whether people believe it or not I am certain that the use of collegial approach and proper contribution of the stakeholders (teachers, administrative staff, parents, students and the community) provided the gateway for the school to progress so rapidly within a short period.
Promoting the School
Conducting programmes involving other schools
Professional development
Visits to other schools
Inter-school Art Competition- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Essay Writing Competition in English- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Quran Competition -Thaa atoll
Scout leaders Training Programme(for whole atoll)
Computer education for all
Professional development
Visits to other schools
Inter-school Art Competition- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Essay Writing Competition in English- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Quran Competition -Thaa atoll
Scout leaders Training Programme(for whole atoll)
Computer education for all
Promoting the School
Conducting programmes involving other schools
Professional development
Visits to other schools
Inter-school Art Competition- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Essay Writing Competition in English- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Quran Competition -Thaa atoll
Scout leaders Training Programme(for whole atoll)
Computer education for all
Professional development
Visits to other schools
Inter-school Art Competition- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Essay Writing Competition in English- Thaa atoll
Inter-school Quran Competition -Thaa atoll
Scout leaders Training Programme(for whole atoll)
Computer education for all
Use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
Use of ICT was neglected when I came. Very few teachers knew how to use computers though plenty of computers were available. Teachers used computers mostly for playing games. We discussed in staff meetings and concluded that all teachers must know to use Ms Word and Excel , further a training programme on PowerPoint was decided to be conducted. All the staff including administrative were obliged to achieve 75 percent in use of computers. This became school’s ICT policy.
After the training programmes were conducted use of multimedia for lessons and use of computers for preparation of different work became a practice. Further report cards were prepared using computers.
As internet facility was limited the available facility was provided to coordinators at times. Later a separate USB internet connection for academic and administrative staff was purchased However I had to leave before it could be implemented.
A special focus was given to the improvement of the use of ICT as it enabled swift management procedures and work to be more reliable and accurate.
(second experience as a school leader-14)
After the training programmes were conducted use of multimedia for lessons and use of computers for preparation of different work became a practice. Further report cards were prepared using computers.
As internet facility was limited the available facility was provided to coordinators at times. Later a separate USB internet connection for academic and administrative staff was purchased However I had to leave before it could be implemented.
A special focus was given to the improvement of the use of ICT as it enabled swift management procedures and work to be more reliable and accurate.
(second experience as a school leader-14)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Library
Setting up the library was not easy as there was no hope to get books. I talked to different sources including those who claim to help the school and the Ministry of Education. It is true that we got a handful of books from the ministry but was not at all sufficient to set up a library. The concern of the school was felt by Mr.Rasheed of that island who lives in Male’. He gave all the books he had collected to set up a library as he knew where it was truly needed. That was a very generous contribution for humanity and for the future of the island.
With his support I was able to set up the library. Further with his assistance I was able to get a Library Science course for our novice librarian.
Further I planned and insisted our Computer Studies teacher to design software to manage the books in the library. The software helped in managing students data as well as. Thus the software was also used to prepare library cards for all students, with their photograph and other details.
It took about four months for me to get the library sufficiently ready, though use of library was begun in September 2009.
(second experience as a school leader-13)
With his support I was able to set up the library. Further with his assistance I was able to get a Library Science course for our novice librarian.
Further I planned and insisted our Computer Studies teacher to design software to manage the books in the library. The software helped in managing students data as well as. Thus the software was also used to prepare library cards for all students, with their photograph and other details.
It took about four months for me to get the library sufficiently ready, though use of library was begun in September 2009.
(second experience as a school leader-13)
Staffing
Staffing was another major issue I had to attend. First of all we had less staff and we did not have teachers to teach special subjects like Quran, Dhivehi and Islam for some grades. Hence I had to find other options temporarily but before the next year began we planned to get new teachers by requesting the Education Unit. We were able to get a Quran teacher as well. However, teaching Dhivehi and Islam remained a difficult task the existing teachers were over burdened.
When I came several jobs were announced and several applications were sent in. I had to conduct about 200 job interviews and sent detailed job interview forms to the Province Education Unit. To carry out this task I invited one person from the Island Development Committee and one member from PTA executive committee to carry out the task along with me. We spent a lot of time off office hours to conduct the interviews and all the interviews were completed and sent to the Province Education Unit within one month. However the forms remained unanswered until a new person joined as head of Province Education Unit.
(second experience as a school leader-12)
When I came several jobs were announced and several applications were sent in. I had to conduct about 200 job interviews and sent detailed job interview forms to the Province Education Unit. To carry out this task I invited one person from the Island Development Committee and one member from PTA executive committee to carry out the task along with me. We spent a lot of time off office hours to conduct the interviews and all the interviews were completed and sent to the Province Education Unit within one month. However the forms remained unanswered until a new person joined as head of Province Education Unit.
(second experience as a school leader-12)
Curbing Disciplinary Issues
Disciplinary problems were a major issue in the school when I took office. The first step I took to curb the problems was separating girls and boys in the higher grades. The next step was changing toilet allocations. Further, I encouraged teachers to me more cautious.
Four most important steps I took in this regard were: 1. assigning interested and devoted teachers as discipline supervisors to encourage students to behave well in classes rather than punishing them. These supervisors observed the each class everyday and gave points for their discipline and these recordings were submitted to me every week. Based on the points given by all the supervisors most disciplined class of the month was selected. 2. Established the record system of students properly so that all actions of students are regularly recorded in their personal files. 3. Teachers were asked to record all discipline based and other difficulties they have in a sheet and discuss their difficulties with discipline supervisors. 4. Most important one was formulating a discipline guideline and measures which are likely to be taken for most cases. These guidelines were formulated by conducting a series of meetings with parents representing all the classes, teachers, discipline supervisors, members of PTA executive committee and senior management. The guidelines are also based on the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education. Decisions for very serious issues were taken by the disciplinary committee which comprises senior management, PTA Executive Committee and Disciplinary Committee,
(second experience as a school leader-11)
Four most important steps I took in this regard were: 1. assigning interested and devoted teachers as discipline supervisors to encourage students to behave well in classes rather than punishing them. These supervisors observed the each class everyday and gave points for their discipline and these recordings were submitted to me every week. Based on the points given by all the supervisors most disciplined class of the month was selected. 2. Established the record system of students properly so that all actions of students are regularly recorded in their personal files. 3. Teachers were asked to record all discipline based and other difficulties they have in a sheet and discuss their difficulties with discipline supervisors. 4. Most important one was formulating a discipline guideline and measures which are likely to be taken for most cases. These guidelines were formulated by conducting a series of meetings with parents representing all the classes, teachers, discipline supervisors, members of PTA executive committee and senior management. The guidelines are also based on the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education. Decisions for very serious issues were taken by the disciplinary committee which comprises senior management, PTA Executive Committee and Disciplinary Committee,
(second experience as a school leader-11)
School Magazine Dhivehi
The idea of issuing a school magazine was confirmed after a meeting of the Literary Associations. Both ELA and DLA contributed. Many students participated by contributing their writings. It was a new area which was developed to improve the writing skills of students. Many parents purchased the magazine and the funds were given for the sports club.
(second experience as a school leader-10)
(second experience as a school leader-10)
Sports Festival of School
The sorts club was given the task of conducting the sports festival for the students. Many people in the island community supported the festival under the guidance of Mr.Naseeh the in-charge of the sports club. Many parents also contributed financially for their respective houses.
A special opening ceremony as never held before was held. The Chief Guest of the sports festival was the administrator of the Health Centre. A lot of parents, people from other islands and some heads of schools of other islands visited to have a glimpse of the festival.
The festival was something all the students looked forward to and enjoyed a lot
(second experience as a school leader-9)
A special opening ceremony as never held before was held. The Chief Guest of the sports festival was the administrator of the Health Centre. A lot of parents, people from other islands and some heads of schools of other islands visited to have a glimpse of the festival.
The festival was something all the students looked forward to and enjoyed a lot
(second experience as a school leader-9)
Co-curricular activities
Co-curricular activities introduced in the school were conducted under four different clubs or associations of students. They include:
Dhivehi Literary Association
This association run by students under the guidance of a teacher conducted handwriting competitions, conducted meetings to commemorate important occasions in history and the school magazine was partly supported by this association. Many students were encouraged to write stories and articles.
English Literary Association
This association run by students under the guidance of a teacher conducted handwriting competitions, conducted meetings , spelling bee contests, conducted English meet which included recitation of poetry , story reading , making speeches etc., and the school magazine was partly supported by this association. Many students were encouraged to write and make speeches in English for the first time in the history of the school.
Environment Club
This club conducted regular watering of trees planted in and around the school. All the girls participated in the programme according to a schedule. Further the club took initiatives in conducting a science exhibition in collaboration with science students.
Sports Club
Sports club took all the responsibilities of sports festival and the club provided opportunities for students lay after school hours.
(second experience as a school leader-8)
Dhivehi Literary Association
This association run by students under the guidance of a teacher conducted handwriting competitions, conducted meetings to commemorate important occasions in history and the school magazine was partly supported by this association. Many students were encouraged to write stories and articles.
English Literary Association
This association run by students under the guidance of a teacher conducted handwriting competitions, conducted meetings , spelling bee contests, conducted English meet which included recitation of poetry , story reading , making speeches etc., and the school magazine was partly supported by this association. Many students were encouraged to write and make speeches in English for the first time in the history of the school.
Environment Club
This club conducted regular watering of trees planted in and around the school. All the girls participated in the programme according to a schedule. Further the club took initiatives in conducting a science exhibition in collaboration with science students.
Sports Club
Sports club took all the responsibilities of sports festival and the club provided opportunities for students lay after school hours.
(second experience as a school leader-8)
Preparing students and school for GCE Ordinary level Cambridge Exam October- November2009
The students as I mentioned had to be attended urgently as they needed serious guidance to prepare for GCE Ordinary level Cambridge Examinations. First I conducted meetings with students of grade 10 (who were supposed to sit for the exam) and teachers of grade 10. Then we agreed to conduct a method of teaching called micro-group teaching. After regular school hours teachers and students came to school for these sessions which were mre helpful for students than regular classes.
Further in collaboration with Mr.Farhad and Mr. Ibrahim supervisors in a Male’ School , a special training programme for grade 10 students was held. Experienced teachers from Male’ came to help the students in this programme.
As a result of all the hard work the 20 percent progress of O’level students of our school was appreciated by the Minister of Education as well. Further we got the opportunity to work towards establishment of Advanced level education in the school as a result of the progress and results achieved.
(second experience as a school leader-7)
Further in collaboration with Mr.Farhad and Mr. Ibrahim supervisors in a Male’ School , a special training programme for grade 10 students was held. Experienced teachers from Male’ came to help the students in this programme.
As a result of all the hard work the 20 percent progress of O’level students of our school was appreciated by the Minister of Education as well. Further we got the opportunity to work towards establishment of Advanced level education in the school as a result of the progress and results achieved.
(second experience as a school leader-7)
Funds of the School
PTA fund
When I joined school PTA fund had only rufia 2.86 (Maldivian currency) which is about one fifth of a dollar and when I left, the funds had thousands of rufias after spending more than half of the money collected for various matters. First plan of PTA suggested that parents work once a month to collect money for the funds but later it was relaxed a bit.
Three special days were conducted as parents’ day for collecting funds. Further a food exhibition was held to collect funds. Besides this different parents groups who had collected money before Tsunami decided to contribute the money to PTA fund. There were two such groups which totally contributed more than 15 thousand rufias.
PTA fund contributed for matters such as buying things needed urgently for school, bringing specialists for professional development programmes and for instructors brought for training students.
Education Fund of Vilufushee School
Education fund was an idea I proposed for sustenance of Advanced Level classes in the school. Further to make the education fund a strong body I proposed the view of including the island chief (Katheeb), Vice President of PTA, a member from women’s committee, head of the school, a member to represent parents and a member to represent teachers. This fund committee is supposed to make decisions regarding the fund matters while the main objective of the fund committee would be sustenance of the Advanced level education in Vilufushee School.
The fund needed immediate money when it was established and I requested people who contributed the school during the elections period in 2008 to see whether they could contribute. However, as I was not lucky enough for various reasons a started looking for other options. I was acting at that time as head of school and head of the fund as well. We decided in the committee to request the citizens of the island to contribute for the initial requirement as more than 800,000 rufias were frozen in their account for years. That was successful after conducting a meeting with all the citizens of the island. They contributed more than 100 thousand rufias which was necessary for initial expenses and monthly expenses of the students brought from other islands for Advanced level classes, for two years which is the duration of the whole course.
Further starting from the inaugural meeting of the fund till I left more than 25,000 rufias were collected in the fund boxes. The electric supplying authority staff in the island decided to make regular monthly contributions as well.
(second experience as a school leader-6)
When I joined school PTA fund had only rufia 2.86 (Maldivian currency) which is about one fifth of a dollar and when I left, the funds had thousands of rufias after spending more than half of the money collected for various matters. First plan of PTA suggested that parents work once a month to collect money for the funds but later it was relaxed a bit.
Three special days were conducted as parents’ day for collecting funds. Further a food exhibition was held to collect funds. Besides this different parents groups who had collected money before Tsunami decided to contribute the money to PTA fund. There were two such groups which totally contributed more than 15 thousand rufias.
PTA fund contributed for matters such as buying things needed urgently for school, bringing specialists for professional development programmes and for instructors brought for training students.
Education Fund of Vilufushee School
Education fund was an idea I proposed for sustenance of Advanced Level classes in the school. Further to make the education fund a strong body I proposed the view of including the island chief (Katheeb), Vice President of PTA, a member from women’s committee, head of the school, a member to represent parents and a member to represent teachers. This fund committee is supposed to make decisions regarding the fund matters while the main objective of the fund committee would be sustenance of the Advanced level education in Vilufushee School.
The fund needed immediate money when it was established and I requested people who contributed the school during the elections period in 2008 to see whether they could contribute. However, as I was not lucky enough for various reasons a started looking for other options. I was acting at that time as head of school and head of the fund as well. We decided in the committee to request the citizens of the island to contribute for the initial requirement as more than 800,000 rufias were frozen in their account for years. That was successful after conducting a meeting with all the citizens of the island. They contributed more than 100 thousand rufias which was necessary for initial expenses and monthly expenses of the students brought from other islands for Advanced level classes, for two years which is the duration of the whole course.
Further starting from the inaugural meeting of the fund till I left more than 25,000 rufias were collected in the fund boxes. The electric supplying authority staff in the island decided to make regular monthly contributions as well.
(second experience as a school leader-6)
Parents and PTA
Parent teacher association was made the most important body or council to support me and guide me in most policy related matters. The Vice President of the PTA Mr. Hussein Thaufeeq and other members of the administrative committee were fully motivated by my complete devotion to the progress of the school and they requested to meet me on their own for the first time within the second week of my office and promised me that they would be with me in all possible ways if I am ready to work for the progress of the school. I made my intentions very clear to them. I told them that I had been assigned as the head of the school and my first priority would be progress of the students and providing them proper education. They were very happy to listen to this statement and I made it clear to them that it was not just a statement through the course of action afterwards.
We exchanged phone numbers and made clear that we should sit together to plan things ahead. Later plans were made for the whole year ahead and immediate matters. PTA support was given to me in everything I did and I made sure that I included them in most of the conversations.
I also made PTA responsible for some activities such as Teachers’ Day Celebrations, Food Exhibition and fund raising activities. In some matters such as getting students from other island for establishing advanced level education I got great support from PTA and Women’s committee and Island office in the visits to other islands. In matters such as deciding uniform for A level students and accommodation arrangements for students joining our A level classes from other islands a small committee of PTA which includes teachers and parents were made responsible. Though I attended some of their discussions I just attended as a contributor or observer.
The class representatives of the PTA sat with administrative committee and discipline supervisors for a series of meetings which lasted for about one and a half months, to formulate the guidelines of discipline and measures to be taken in that regard.
Further PTA supported in all invited and uninvited matters whenever possible.
Parents of the school though initially not lively enough by the time the school lasted for about three months under me had become quite lively and active in school matters. Their support was completely given in fund raising activities, preparing and cleaning ground for tree planting , and cleaning ground for students game courts, preparing class-rooms for child friendly system, supporting in food and accommodation arrangements for professional development programmes and functions in schools etc.
I would consider the parent support I got as perfect.
(second experience as a school leader-5)
We exchanged phone numbers and made clear that we should sit together to plan things ahead. Later plans were made for the whole year ahead and immediate matters. PTA support was given to me in everything I did and I made sure that I included them in most of the conversations.
I also made PTA responsible for some activities such as Teachers’ Day Celebrations, Food Exhibition and fund raising activities. In some matters such as getting students from other island for establishing advanced level education I got great support from PTA and Women’s committee and Island office in the visits to other islands. In matters such as deciding uniform for A level students and accommodation arrangements for students joining our A level classes from other islands a small committee of PTA which includes teachers and parents were made responsible. Though I attended some of their discussions I just attended as a contributor or observer.
The class representatives of the PTA sat with administrative committee and discipline supervisors for a series of meetings which lasted for about one and a half months, to formulate the guidelines of discipline and measures to be taken in that regard.
Further PTA supported in all invited and uninvited matters whenever possible.
Parents of the school though initially not lively enough by the time the school lasted for about three months under me had become quite lively and active in school matters. Their support was completely given in fund raising activities, preparing and cleaning ground for tree planting , and cleaning ground for students game courts, preparing class-rooms for child friendly system, supporting in food and accommodation arrangements for professional development programmes and functions in schools etc.
I would consider the parent support I got as perfect.
(second experience as a school leader-5)
Parents and PTA
Parent teacher association was made the most important body or council to support me and guide me in most policy related matters. The Vice President of the PTA Mr. Hussein Thaufeeq and other members of the administrative committee were fully motivated by my complete devotion to the progress of the school and they requested to meet me on their own for the first time within the second week of my office and promised me that they would be with me in all possible ways if I am ready to work for the progress of the school. I made my intentions very clear to them. I told them that I had been assigned as the head of the school and my first priority would be progress of the students and providing them proper education. They were very happy to listen to this statement and I made it clear to them that it was not just a statement through the course of action afterwards.
We exchanged phone numbers and made clear that we should sit together to plan things ahead. Later plans were made for the whole year ahead and immediate matters. PTA support was given to me in everything I did and I made sure that I included them in most of the conversations.
I also made PTA responsible for some activities such as Teachers’ Day Celebrations, Food Exhibition and fund raising activities. In some matters such as getting students from other island for establishing advanced level education I got great support from PTA and Women’s committee and Island office in the visits to other islands. In matters such as deciding uniform for A level students and accommodation arrangements for students joining our A level classes from other islands a small committee of PTA which includes teachers and parents were made responsible. Though I attended some of their discussions I just attended as a contributor or observer.
The class representatives of the PTA sat with administrative committee and discipline supervisors for a series of meetings which lasted for about one and a half months, to formulate the guidelines of discipline and measures to be taken in that regard.
Further PTA supported in all invited and uninvited matters whenever possible.
Parents of the school though initially not lively enough by the time the school lasted for about three months under me had become quite lively and active in school matters. Their support was completely given in fund raising activities, preparing and cleaning ground for tree planting , and cleaning ground for students game courts, preparing class-rooms for child friendly system, supporting in food and accommodation arrangements for professional development programmes and functions in schools etc.
I would consider the parent support I got as perfect.
(second experience as a school leader-5)
We exchanged phone numbers and made clear that we should sit together to plan things ahead. Later plans were made for the whole year ahead and immediate matters. PTA support was given to me in everything I did and I made sure that I included them in most of the conversations.
I also made PTA responsible for some activities such as Teachers’ Day Celebrations, Food Exhibition and fund raising activities. In some matters such as getting students from other island for establishing advanced level education I got great support from PTA and Women’s committee and Island office in the visits to other islands. In matters such as deciding uniform for A level students and accommodation arrangements for students joining our A level classes from other islands a small committee of PTA which includes teachers and parents were made responsible. Though I attended some of their discussions I just attended as a contributor or observer.
The class representatives of the PTA sat with administrative committee and discipline supervisors for a series of meetings which lasted for about one and a half months, to formulate the guidelines of discipline and measures to be taken in that regard.
Further PTA supported in all invited and uninvited matters whenever possible.
Parents of the school though initially not lively enough by the time the school lasted for about three months under me had become quite lively and active in school matters. Their support was completely given in fund raising activities, preparing and cleaning ground for tree planting , and cleaning ground for students game courts, preparing class-rooms for child friendly system, supporting in food and accommodation arrangements for professional development programmes and functions in schools etc.
I would consider the parent support I got as perfect.
(second experience as a school leader-5)
Change of School Name and Issues Related to the Matter
To add to all these very urgent issues Ministry of education had changed the name of school and informed me to attend to all the issues related to it. It’s easy to the Ministry to say we have changed the name of school yet not to give any necessary support to get other related things to be done. I said officially we cannot perform in another name unless we receive an official document which confirms that. The first thing which I received in this regard was the name of the school printed on a plastic sheet. Further the name was printed incorrectly on it according to the school registration certificate they sent me about two months after that. I did not use anything related to change of name before I received the official school registration certificate. The issue of change of name became a very serious issue for the community. Further the community was divided in this view as those who claim to be the people who named the school still exist and they along with close relatives and friends did not support the idea of change of name. Further I came to know that people from the ministry of education including the deputy minister had come to the island to discuss about the name of the school and they could not arrive at any conclusions at that time. Soon I received a big written document which indicated that I may not be able to stay in the post, if I continued supporting the idea of change of name. However, by the time all parents knew how much input I gave and how much I devoted to the school. Islanders sending away principals they dislike for any reason was common in Maldives and I heard the story of a principal being sent out of the island and put in a boat by rowdies in an island during that time. My family was a little concerned about my situation as that incident occurred during those days.
In the first weekend I had inaugurated the PTA (Parent Teacher Association of the School) and promised the parents that the school board would be inaugurated soon. However the matter lasted for a long time as the two members to be assigned by the ministry of education was not confirmed. It was finally approved and sent after I personally forwarded the issue to the state minister of the province and to the new superintendent of education for the province. As the PTA was in function and parents in the PTA committee working close to me as my intension was to give them more opportunities to be involved, I decided to forward the matter of the anonymous letter being sent to my home. The Vice president of PTA and the young committee worked swiftly to bring that problem to an end and within a week after the letter came to me it was solved.
As soon as we received official documents regarding change of name of the school, we had to stop using the official stamp and letter head and only official identification for some time was my signature .However we worked swiftly to attend the matters related to it. What is interesting is that everything is interconnected. With the change of name school mission, vision, flag, badge, uniform, colour, school houses, division of students to houses, making arrangements for parents to get ties and badges, making school stamps and letter head, school email id, were connected. It’s easy to show a list and say that these things were done but to do these things staying in an island far away from Male’ the capital where all facilities and services are available is not an easy task especially within such a short period. I received a lot of assistance from then President of Youth Association of that Island Mr. Mohamed Rasheed as he works in Male’. Leaving aside designing things getting approval from the ministry would not have been so easy if I did not get his support. Mission,vision,flag, colours of school, houses of school, badge , uniform and school stamps were confirmed after a series of meetings with members of PTA , teachers and class representatives. Nothing was decided my own. Everything was planned and designed and shown to them and changed according to their suggestions before being confirmed. After confirmation I made arrangements with tailors in Male’ the capital to get the badges and ties done for the school and made PTA responsible for initial payment in order to make it easy for the parents to purchase. We made sure that 2010 began with all necessary arrangements in relation to change of name of school.
(second experience as a school leader-4)
In the first weekend I had inaugurated the PTA (Parent Teacher Association of the School) and promised the parents that the school board would be inaugurated soon. However the matter lasted for a long time as the two members to be assigned by the ministry of education was not confirmed. It was finally approved and sent after I personally forwarded the issue to the state minister of the province and to the new superintendent of education for the province. As the PTA was in function and parents in the PTA committee working close to me as my intension was to give them more opportunities to be involved, I decided to forward the matter of the anonymous letter being sent to my home. The Vice president of PTA and the young committee worked swiftly to bring that problem to an end and within a week after the letter came to me it was solved.
As soon as we received official documents regarding change of name of the school, we had to stop using the official stamp and letter head and only official identification for some time was my signature .However we worked swiftly to attend the matters related to it. What is interesting is that everything is interconnected. With the change of name school mission, vision, flag, badge, uniform, colour, school houses, division of students to houses, making arrangements for parents to get ties and badges, making school stamps and letter head, school email id, were connected. It’s easy to show a list and say that these things were done but to do these things staying in an island far away from Male’ the capital where all facilities and services are available is not an easy task especially within such a short period. I received a lot of assistance from then President of Youth Association of that Island Mr. Mohamed Rasheed as he works in Male’. Leaving aside designing things getting approval from the ministry would not have been so easy if I did not get his support. Mission,vision,flag, colours of school, houses of school, badge , uniform and school stamps were confirmed after a series of meetings with members of PTA , teachers and class representatives. Nothing was decided my own. Everything was planned and designed and shown to them and changed according to their suggestions before being confirmed. After confirmation I made arrangements with tailors in Male’ the capital to get the badges and ties done for the school and made PTA responsible for initial payment in order to make it easy for the parents to purchase. We made sure that 2010 began with all necessary arrangements in relation to change of name of school.
(second experience as a school leader-4)
Urgent Issues to be Attended
I came to know that lot of changes need to be brought to the school. Further a lot was to be done to make sure that school can stand on its own foot. Some major issues to be attended were : salary related matters, providing results of the previous semester for students, curbing serious disciplinary issues of students, attending to GCE Ordinary level students as their exam was to be held in 3 months, attending to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of students, introducing ways to motivate students to study, introducing ways to motivate use of English language in the school, planting trees in the school, establishing ways to motivate teachers to be more active in school, providing professional development for staff as many lacked the basic knowledge of use of computers and skills related to teaching etc. These were some of the immediate issues needed to be attended besides the pending tasks related to staffing and recruiting which required about 200 interviews to be conducted, establishing the school library, forming of PTA and School Board and other committees and issues pending in the administrative area.
(second experience as a school leader-3)
(second experience as a school leader-3)
My first meeting with all the students of the school
The students of the school gathered at the assembly area allocated with their teachers as guided. The little ones seemed to be excited to see a new face. They sang the school song (Common to all schools: Lhafathugaa ungenemaa, Ufalugaa Kiyavamaa; meaning: Lets learn when we are young, lets study merrily) and read a quite long prayer written down on a sheet. One supervisor introduced me to the students and invited me to address the students.
Hardly thinking I would make history I decided to speak in English. Later I came to know from students that it was the first assembly speech given in English. Children found it difficult to understand yet I tried to convey them a few things.
On that day I advised them to cultivate the habit of speaking in English and as I moved around in the school I spoke to the students in English. Later I found out that expatriate teachers who could manage to speak in Dhivehi (our mother tongue)spoke to the students in Dhivehi as they had no other choice to convey the message needed to the students.
Anyway the first meeting with all the students went quite well and students seemed to have enjoyed meeting me.
(second experience as a school leader-2)
Hardly thinking I would make history I decided to speak in English. Later I came to know from students that it was the first assembly speech given in English. Children found it difficult to understand yet I tried to convey them a few things.
On that day I advised them to cultivate the habit of speaking in English and as I moved around in the school I spoke to the students in English. Later I found out that expatriate teachers who could manage to speak in Dhivehi (our mother tongue)spoke to the students in Dhivehi as they had no other choice to convey the message needed to the students.
Anyway the first meeting with all the students went quite well and students seemed to have enjoyed meeting me.
(second experience as a school leader-2)
Arrival at School and Initial Steps Taken
I was assigned as the principal of Vilufushee School on 21st July 2009 but I reported to office on 1st of August 2009. However, I began service as soon as I arrived on a Friday. The school as I was informed was built by British Red Cross as part of the project to support the Tsunami hit regions of the Maldives. Further I came to know that the staffs of the school were desperate to have a school head. I first wondered why they needed a head so badly, as there was a deputy principal as well.
When I arrived there I expected the school to be a bit organized as there was a head from another school for a brief period along with the deputy principal. However the condition was not even close to my expectation. The first reflection which I received was that the teachers were not paid properly and that students weren’t even given their marks cards or report forms. Further different people brought forward several issues of their concern.
I decided to conduct a meeting that afternoon with all the teachers and later in the evening I conducted a meeting with the secondary students and parents. In the first meeting I found very few parents though many students attended. I used this opportunity to encourage those who were present to bring the rest of the parents for future meetings which was quite successful. I consider it a very good achievement as I used the next opportunity to build a better rapport with the parents.
I spent the second day which was a Saturday in gathering information of the school. I interviewed the deputy principal almost for six hours and the supervisors for less than two hours.
I gathered plenty of information in these two meetings and even the meetings held separately with the expatriate teachers and local teachers helped me in collecting very useful information about the condition of the school and the immediate things to be attended.
(second experience as a school leader-1)
When I arrived there I expected the school to be a bit organized as there was a head from another school for a brief period along with the deputy principal. However the condition was not even close to my expectation. The first reflection which I received was that the teachers were not paid properly and that students weren’t even given their marks cards or report forms. Further different people brought forward several issues of their concern.
I decided to conduct a meeting that afternoon with all the teachers and later in the evening I conducted a meeting with the secondary students and parents. In the first meeting I found very few parents though many students attended. I used this opportunity to encourage those who were present to bring the rest of the parents for future meetings which was quite successful. I consider it a very good achievement as I used the next opportunity to build a better rapport with the parents.
I spent the second day which was a Saturday in gathering information of the school. I interviewed the deputy principal almost for six hours and the supervisors for less than two hours.
I gathered plenty of information in these two meetings and even the meetings held separately with the expatriate teachers and local teachers helped me in collecting very useful information about the condition of the school and the immediate things to be attended.
(second experience as a school leader-1)
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