Inadequacy of Communication Strategy Between School Administrator and Staff In a School System (Theoretical Solution)

Communication is the life wire of every educational organization. No institution of learning will stand a test of time without effective communication and collaboration amongst the various units in the school system.

The core purpose of classroom instruction which is teaching and learning will end in futility without proper communication. Thus, Ovwamuedo (2017) citing Omoregie (1995), said the task of teaching and learning is built on communication. Omoregie sees communication as a process whereby information, messages, and feelings are transmitted by a sender, received and understood by a receiver who in turn sends feedback to the sender.

The basis of communication, however, is to accomplish a coordinated action, sharing of proper information and expression of emotions. Other purpose of communication, according to Griffin (2007) include to persuade, to instruct, to request, to present, to assess outcomes, to control, to influence the performance or organizational members to which the school system belongs to.

Inadequacy of Communication Strategy Between School Principal and Teachers hinders effective management of academic affairs as no meaningful activity would go on devoid communication. While elucidating on the significance of communication between the school administrator and teachers, Peretomode (2017), said of all activities, none takes as much time as that of communication. If communication is hampered, the entire school system suffers.

Quoting Lesikar (1974), Peretomode added that managers and administrators direct through communication; they plan, coordinate and control through communication.

Inadequacy of communication between a school administrator otherwise known as the principal and and his teachers will transcend to a fall out of all school activities.

The impact of communication on the overall system is bigger than ever before. It impacts the organization’s reputation, employees’ engagement, and overall business continuity.

However, Communication Strategy is a plan for delivering a message to your previously identified target audience. Every proper communication plan should clearly identify three crucial factors that directly impact the success of the strategy.

These include the audience, the message, and the channels via which the message should be delivered.

Problem Identification

Inadequacy of Communication Strategy Between School Principal and Teachers is the problem identified in a public school in Delta State.

It portends a situation whereby a break in communication brings about inefficiency in service delivery in school system.

The inability of the principal to implore effective communication strategies in reaching out to his teachers to shape the school phenomenon birthed the problem. There’s no team spirit; collaboration between the school head and teachers.

Defining the school goals and how to achieve them is a sole effort of the principal. The teachers were not part of the decision making as a result of the principal’s unwillingness to involve them.

This, consequently, bred communication gap and affected classroom delivery. Teachers could not put in their best lacking the required synergy with the school head. The above problem brings the school to its knees.

Theoretical Analysis

The theory suitable for the subject matter is Theory Z. It elucidates the importance of collective efforts in decision-making while managing an organization or school system.

Propounded by William U. Ouchi in 1981, Theory Z sees subordinates (teachers) as the key to effective service delivery in an organization (school).

Theory Z advocates the various approaches to manage people so they can work together for a better outcome. It believes that the success of an organization relies on the commitment, participatory decision-making, trust and intimacy.

William Ouchi further noted that the process has the objective of developing the ability of the organization to coordinate people to achieve productivity (Peretomode 2019).

Theoretical Application

In reshaping the school system, the under-listed steps should be adhered to:

1. Evaluation of the relationship between the school principal and his teachers.
2. There’s utmost need for the school principal to explore interpersonal skills.
3. There’s urgent need for free flow of information between the principal and teachers.
4. The relationship between the principal and his teachers should be improved promptly.
5. The principles of unity, trust, onesness and participatory decision-making should be upheld to.

References

1. Ovwamuedo, E (2017) The Principal and Teachers’ Task In Classroom Delivery

2. Peretomode, V. (2017) Theories of Management: Implications For Education Administration. BWright Integrated Publishers Limited: Ibadan.

3. Peretomode, V. F and Peretomode O (2003) Human Resources Management, Principles, Policies and Practices: Second Edition. Praxis Educational Publishers: Bodija

4. https://haiilo.com/blog/what-is-a-communication-strategy/