Quality leadershipneeded at schools

SCHOOL leaders need to combine administrative leadership, management and teaching in all forms to create a school environment that can deliver progress and success in producing quality education.

These dimensions of leadership were said to be closely related as Deputy Permanent Secretary (Core Education) Hj Suhaila Hj Abdul Karim believed that all actions and decisions made in schools affect a student's galaxy of achievement and the school's development.

This was also linked to his words on instructional leadership where he highlighted the importance of school leaders to not only issue administrative direction but also pursue them.

An example he provided was the suitability of teachers attending a certain course which would determine the impact of implementation and results.

With regards to the 21st Century National Education System (SPN21) being designed to bring schools and the education system to a higher level, Hj Suhaila emphasised the essential need for quality leadership in equipping the younger generation with the skills necessary in facing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

"I feel that it is time that we acculturate appreciation and use data and information that analyses as backup for any planning and decision making," he said. "If there are plans or decisions based on assumptions that are not solid, the actions will not work."

He added that such an establishment was an important tool for management and administration in assisting decision-making and planning as this necessity is part of the road towards Vision 2035.

Yesterday marked the official closing of the first Primary School Leaders Congress after its two-day run at the Rizqun International Hotel.

Prior to the guest of honour's speech, a resolution was presented by the vice president of the Committee of Primary School Leaders (Japser), Hjh Taibah Hj Ahmad, along with presentations by several groups.

Certificates of participation were handed over to some 120 participants by Hj Suhaila.The Brunei Times