EDUCATING SRI LANKA | LMD

PRINCIPALS: BORN OR MADE?

A guidelines of fine practices for moral heads of faculties

BY Goolbai Gunasekara

The query whether or not principals are born or made is clearly rhetorical. One doesn’t change into the principal of a faculty with out some coaching within the artwork of operating a faculty. Shakespeare’s typically quoted saying that “some are born nice, others obtain greatness and a few have it thrust upon them” springs to thoughts when discussing these early educationist principals of Sri Lanka who’ve change into legends.

Earlier than independence in 1948, principals within the main Colombo colleges and some outstation ones positioned within the large cities have been typically Christian missionaries from the UK. Most had impeccable levels from famend universities.

And even when one or two didn’t have such {qualifications}, all of them supplied college students a wonderful training and the faculties they ran are nonetheless one of the best in Sri Lanka.

The well timed arrival of Colonel Henry Metal Olcott gave Buddhist colleges a a lot wanted jolt, and several other foreigners have been chargeable for upgrading schools akin to Ananda, Dharmaraja, Mahinda, Visakha and Musaeus.

Principals then operated beneath nice situations. Faculty populations have been tiny in comparison with these of right now and a faculty with 300 college students was thought of regular within the Forties. Lecturers have been plentiful – each foreigners and Sri Lankans alike. Schooling was in English after all, since Ceylon was nonetheless a British colony.

Let me cite a number of of the nice names which might be forgotten right now besides within the colleges they headed: Father Maurice Le Goc (St. Peter’s School), Father Peter Pillai (St Joseph’s School) the Misses Opie (Girls’ School), the nuns of Catholic colleges akin to St. Bridget’s Convent and Holy Household Convent, Sister Letitia (Bishop’s School), Hilda Kularatne (Mahamaya Ladies’ School), Clara Motwani (Visakha Vidyalaya), Grace Paul (Ladies’ Excessive Faculty – Kandy), P. de S. Kularatne (Ananda), Misses Choate and Shire (Methodist School), Marie Musaeus Higgins (Musaeus School), Bishop Stone (S. Thomas’ School) and E. L. Bradby (Royal School).

There have been different educationists who constructed up the faculties that perform right now however the appointment of principals to authorities colleges these days relies on the seniority of academics and never their suitability. Therein lies their tragedy.

At this time, non-public colleges could make their very own alternative of principals and have to date been lucky. People who fell beneath the federal government free training scheme haven’t. The appalling behaviour of many principals and academics the place college students are abused mentally, bodily and sexually is highlighted within the media repeatedly.

Case after case is filed in opposition to them however seemingly the established order continues. Principals in lots of authorities colleges are merely not imbued with both moral or ethical requirements. These in non-public colleges are answerable to a college board and their behaviour is normally above reproach.

So what defines a very good principal from a run-of-the-mill administrator?

A involved and organised principal have to be at school earlier than others arrive. The cleansing workers must be up and about, making certain neat lecture rooms, clear loos and swept grounds. Anticipating a principal’s early arrival ensures that each one the above work is accomplished.

Whereas academics are normally punctual, there may be some ordinary latecomers. Dad and mom start to note this and can complain.

Due to this fact, it’s vital for the principal to take motion earlier than the complaints are available. One can solely pay attention to late comers if she or he is there earlier than them. The early principals I labored beneath saved strolling spherical the college. This ensured that bells have been rigorously adopted. No instructor have to be late for sophistication.

Good principals hold a examine on written work given by every instructor. That is an typically uncared for job since principals assume academics are giving sufficient written work. Not so. Frequent checks are wanted.

Right here’s how this may be finished simply and effectively.

Principals should go away their mark on college students. They’ll do that by having talks with every class and a private speak (not a scolding!) with poor performers or scholar troublemakers. Ten minutes every week works wonders.

Subjects of debate can vary from private hygiene to romance. As an illustration, I recall that in a type of 10 minute classes, I mentioned the significance of a agency handshake. They drastically loved practising it that day inside these 10 minutes. The
matters are countless.

Principals can’t have favourites among the many workers. Being a principal is usually a lonely place and as a human being, the pinnacle of the college will clearly depend upon higher workers members. However partiality should be managed.

Coping with individuals requires tact which will typically must be pressured. A principal ought to know when to be downright strict and when to be lenient. She or he have to be completely truthful – a tough process certainly, since principals must have a broad and unbiased strategy to the college, and its pupils.