Abstract
M.Ed.
The education of pedagogically neglected children in a
residential situation, as found at child care schools, implies
a particular educational task. It must be carried out in a
conscientious professional manner it any virtuous accomplishment
can be expected.
All children in child care schools are cared for residentially.
These children are removed from their homes or other torms of
care without any choice and are then placed in the total care ot
the child care school. The hostel in the child care school forms
the core ot the school and is therefore the "home" ot these
neglected children.
As manager ot the child care school hostel the hostel educator
has a comprehensive and complex task. This is realized when he
has to lead and accompany pupils pedagogically towards adulthood
in the child care school hostel environment. As professional leader
the senior hostel educator must accomodate managerial
tasks such as planning, organizing,guidance and control.
In this research the importance ot organizing as the major
management task ot the hostel educator in a child care school is
stressed. Aspects that are connected with organizing are also
stressed as they create structure on the micro level in the child
care school hostel. In addition to this there is a normal
relationship within the structure that adds to the achieving ot
preset goals in the hostel.
This research furthermore, stresses the managerial tasks which
are expected of the hostel educator, namely to implement an
inviting climate in the hostel, to develop a system of leadership
and to create inviting discipline through effective organizing.
This research is underpinned by the fact that the author was in
the unique position of approaching the subject trilaterally :
being in a hostel as a schoolboy for a number of years; as a
hostel educator (presently as member of the managerial team of
a child care school he is responsible for a hostel) and as a
professional educator. (The personal experience and scientific
facts melt together into a unit that gives one an intimate look
into the daily life of the hostel educator and his particular
challenges) .
The importance of organizing as managerial task of the hostel
educator as leader in the child care school hostel must be seen
in the light of the need for well-equipped, able and diligent
hostel educators.