Communication Channels and Barriers

Communication Channels

• Up-down involves communication from a superior officer to a junior one within an organization
• In Down-up, a junior officer sends a message, potentially a request or information, to a senior officer
• Horizontal communication occurs between individuals at the same level, rank, or position, such as heads of different departments

Importance of Communication in Schools

• Communication improves school operations for better performance
• It reduces resource waste and ensures instructions are applied promptly
• Communication unites an organization's members
• It helps explain changes for better organizational performance
• Communication aids managerial functions at all organizational levels

Communication Barriers

• Ambiguity in language usage, like using words or sentences with dual meanings
• Noise or unwanted sounds can make messages useless
• Inadequate language skills can make messages ineffective
• Physical challenges, like hearing or vision issues, prevent the message from being received
• Language differences can create barriers if the receiver can't understand the sender

Decision-Making Defined

• Decision-making is the identification and selection of a course of action to address a specific problem or opportunity
• Decision-making is a leadership function involving choosing an option from many possible actions
• Leaders should be rational and analytical in the option selection process

Decision-Making Factors

• Decisions require achievable goals to prevent wasted time and resources
• The problem needs to be identified correctly to address it properly
• Prioritizing involves selecting the best way to solve the problem
• Determining the causes of the problem involves identifying the root issues
• Alternative solutions involves generating different solution types
• Evaluating the alternatives is the selection of the most appropriate alternatives
• A solution is selecting an option for application/implementation by the decision maker
• Implementation puts the identified options into practice
• Evaluating the implementation determines if the problem has been solved or what effect the decision had

Key Considerations in Decision Making

• Use creative thinking
• Remain objective and rational
• Ensure decisions align with overall organizational objectives
• A leader will not be able to please everyone
• Involve all stakeholders or those most affected in the process
• Using a democratic process yields more fruitful results

Human Resource Development

• Human resource development enriches employees through a scientific system
• It improves capabilities and performance to achieve excellence and explore potential
• Benefits include improved professionalism, motivation, and enhanced supervisor-subordinate relationships
• It also accelerates organizational culture and growth and entails securing qualified personnel for instructional services
• HR development can be referred to as training teachers or supporting staff and students

Reasons for Human Resource Development

• H R development ensures individual and organizational goals are aligned, setting standards for productivity, efficiency, and quality of work
• It enriches employee commitment and effectiveness by sharing information on mutual obligations and management philosophies
• It improves organizational effectiveness, provides guidance to executives and staff, and implements effective management policies
• It helps to develop collaborative and problem-solving approaches

Stages for Human Resource Management

• Assessing Staff Needs determines if a need/vacancy exists
• This assessment determines the number of staff needed due to retirement, death, or other reasons
• Staff Recruitment involves advertisement, applicant selection, interviews, employment, induction, and job execution
• Staff Development involves training and retraining of staff on the job to improve performance
• This can be achieved through in-service training, seminars, workshops, etc
• The main goal is also to increase staff capacity and productivity
• Staff development adds value by correcting deficiencies, increasing skills, familiarizing workers with trends, and upgrading skills

Curriculum Defined

• Curriculum means all programs and activities within a school setting, both planned and unplanned
• Curriculum includes learning, students, teachers, school management, school master plans, facilities, and various relationships

Curriculum Management

• Schools are systems with relationships that exist whether planned or not
• Social relationships and activities can either help or disrupt a school's objectives
• Curriculum management is therefore essential

Curriculum Management Duties

• The school head is responsible for specific activities
• Following the school's daily routine
• Ensuring proper division of labor among staff
• Following the lesson timetable
• Monitoring teachers' syllabus implementation
• Upholding justice and fair play in school management
• Implementing school plans diligently
• Guiding all school members with a sense of unity

Resource Management

• Resource management entails identifying, allocating, and evaluating non-human materials
• Non-human materials include land, classrooms, offices, chairs, tables, fields, hostels, and other things

Non-Human Resource Management

• Constant maintenance of facilities involves cleaning and servicing machines
• Using manuals involves following manufacturer guides for equipment use
• Usage control involves having technical staff operate machines to prevent misuse and extend equipment life

Education Finance

• Education finances are sources of funds used in the education sector
• This includes all funds for day-to-day educational activities from primary to university
• Education finance is capital intensive and includes government and all other stakeholders