Abstract
M.Ed.
The education management profession currently finds itself in a period of rapid
changes and progress. This is particularly applicable to the management principles
followed and required by educational leaders. Government funding has been reduced
and competitors are increasing rapidly. Expenses are rising and the Government is
busy reducing staff. It is therefore imperative for the manager(s) of technical colleges
to keep up with the latest development in business management, not only to provide
quality learning, but to provide the staff with job security by applying business
management principles.
Analysis of the environmental influences which play a role in the management of
technical colleges compared to the influences which play a role in the management
of a private business indicate similarities. It can therefore be assumed that a
technical college could be managed like a private business. If the technical college
manager is taught business management principles and he applies these principles,
the technical college could be more efficient and show a growth in student enrolment.
The trained technical college manager will also have the ability to identify new
potential markets, influence his staff members to become entrepreneurs to help him
diversify existing products and gain more students. The diversification will also serve
the community's needs at its best.
A special technical college manager programme has to be implemented to enable
management staff to be trained in business management principles at different
levels
An acceptable standard will be maintained if managerial training is done by one or
more institutions. It is therefore recommended that management staff attend these
courses before being promoted to a higher management position.