QA4ODFL1/Governance/School governance

According to the UNESCO International Bureau of Education, governance refers to organisational structures and processes that are put in place to ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity and inclusiveness, empowerment, and broad-based participation, (UNESCO International Bureau of Education, (n.d.)) . The smooth functioning of an open school depends to a very large extent on the astuteness of the governance system that is put in place. Governance creates an enabling open schooling environment where there is accountability and participatory decision-making. The structures that are put in place, the people who are appointed to those structures and their knowledge and experience of education generally and of ODL in particular are major determinants of the success of their role in steering the open school to success.

Learning activity 1: Difference between governance and management

Take 15 minutes to do this activity.

In your own view, what is the difference between governance and management?

Post your answer in the discussion forum. Compare your answer with your peers' posts in the forum, and respond.

Stop and Think

In your school or organisation, what role does governance play?

The school governing body (SGB) is responsible for making decisions on the strategic direction of an open school; it sets the school's strategic goals and direction. It supports school management by defining the roadmap to be followed and articulating high level strategic thinking which steers the school organisation towards achieving set goals. A well-functioning school governing body also interrogates the why behind both the goals to be achieved and the plans for getting there. This enables it to institute changes whenever necessary. In this course, you need to distinguish between governance and management, two terms that are often confused. Whilst the former is responsible for making high level, strategic decisions about the school, the latter is concerned with the day-to-day operations of the school. Thus, management is concerned with allocation of resources to ensure that the school achieves its goals, as defined by the governing body in the school strategic plans.

The table below illustrates the different functions of school governance and management:

Table 1: Distinction between governance and management

Governance

Management

Set norms and standards, strategic vision and direction and formulate high-level goals and policies for the open school. Oversee management and organizational performance to ensure that the open school is working in the best interests of the public, and more specifically the stakeholders who are served by the organization’s mission. Direct and oversee the management to ensure that the open school is achieving the desired outcomes and to ensure that the school is acting prudently, ethically and legally. Run the organization in line with the broad goals and direction set by the governing body.

Implement the decisions within the context of the mission and strategic vision of the school and the Ministry. Make operational decisions and policies, keep the governance bodies informed and educated. Be responsive to requests for additional information.

Adapted from UNESCO-IBE, (n.d.)