Bridging the divide between governance and stakeholder understanding
A recent experience illuminated a gap between the importance of governance and school stakeholders’ connection to it.
A few weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting at a conference in Shenzhen, where I focused on the essential conditions for developing effective school curricula, emphasising both leadership and governance. You can view the slides here.
It became clear that while participants were engaged in discussions about leadership, this was familiar ground for most. Educational leaders frequently explore various leadership styles and their implications on our work.
What stood out more prominently was the discussion on governance. Governance, often overlooked, profoundly influences organisational outcomes. However, there seems to be a lack of deep understanding of how governance functions. The session participants highlighted this, expressing keen interest and curiosity about the different ways governance impacts school operations. This observation led me to ponder the apparent disconnect between the importance of governance and the depth of stakeholder knowledge in this area. How can we bridge this gap?
In my view, it is crucial for governance groups to improve communication about their roles and responsibilities, especially as privatised education models become more prevalent. Privatised education often entails more top-down governance with fewer participatory approaches.
To address this, governance groups should:
- Enhance Stakeholder Communication: Ensure that all stakeholders understand governance processes.
- Foster Transparency: Create an environment where governance activities are visible and comprehensible.
- Encourage Participation: Even within privatised models, find ways to involve the broader community in governance discussions.
By successfully implementing these strategies, we can foster a deeper connection between participants and governance, empowering them to actively participate and understand how governance shapes their roles. Bridging this divide will not only enhance the effectiveness of governance but also build a genuine sense of community and shared purpose within educational institutions. This alignment can drive meaningful improvements in our schools and ultimately benefit the entire educational ecosystem.