Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Management)
Significant long term planning and the reaching of goals cannot
be reached efficiently if they are constantly hampered by nonproductive
problems. Therefore, effective problem solving and
effective prevention are of cardinal importance in the multi-type
workload of the head of department. The principal is the keyfigure
in the school. In this respect, the principal should be
supported by a management team, utilizing all facets of
management in the school, including problem solving. Problem
solving js a comprehensive task and one person alone does not
have all the time or skills to run the school single-handedly.
The head of department is the senior manager of his department
and has a prime resposibility towards the effective functioning
of his department. This implies that the head of department not
only needs to be an educational leader, but he must also have the
necessary managerial skills to be successful.
During problem solving a certain thought-pattern of modusoperandi
should be acquired. The way a head of department solves
problems is an indication of his value as educational leader, and
it follows that his skills at problem solving and effective
behaviour will determine his success as an educational leader.
This study will focus mainly on four basic management tasks:
planning, organization, guidance and control.