Comparative Education Bulletin - Faculty of Education - The ...

some of the School Managers over the issues related to the termination
of employment of the Principal in Yaumati Kaifong Association
School 17 .
It is envisaged that there will be more conflicts with the new
governance structure. Therefore, the relationship between the Supervisor
and the SSBs is seen to be crucial in resolving such possible
conflicts. The SSBs may have difficulties in finding a trusted Supervisor
for each school, who at the same time is capable in school management,
and possesses necessary leadership and political skills. The SSBs also
needs to develop an accountability system so that IMC is answerable
to the SSBs in fulfilling the school mission set by the SSB because in
the future, IMC will be accountable to both the Permanent Secretary
of Education and Manpower and the SSB for the performance of the
school 18 .
The requirements of strong leadership and sufficient political
skills will also apply to the Principal. Some Principals adopt a rather
autocratic approach in the management of their school. Others are
not used to adopting public relations skills in resolving conflicts. The
management style of some Principals will need to be changed when
a new governance structure is in place. The Principal should have the
skills to balance the interests of various stakeholders in the IMC.
In Hong Kong, parents tended to be less vocal in school affairs
in earlier times. In view of the change in social environment and the
establishment of Parent Teacher Associations in recent years, parents
are now quite concerned on school matters. When they are placed
in the IMC, the highest authority in the school, they will become
more vocal and be more willing to express their concerns given that
significant financial and management information is now available to
them for scrutiny. This is more likely happen in Band 1 schools or elite
schools where parents are professionals or belong to the middle-class.
Inevitably there will more pressure for the Principal to respond to the
demand from the parents but at the same time to ensure that this will
not put too much burden on the teachers.
As regards the conflicts between the government and the SSB, the
government does not openly admit that the SBM Ordinance will take
over power from the SSBs 19 although in reality the SSBs will lose some
7 The performance of the Principal of the school was criticized by the Inspection
Report of EMB. The SMC then decided to lay off the Principal by a 4-to- vote. However,
the SSB supported the Principal and wished to dismiss the Supervisor. Finally
EMB appointed three new School Managers, including two government officials, to
resolve the conflicts. It was decided at a SMC meeting held on 19 May , 2006, that
a new Principal be recruited as soon as possible. See Sing Tao Daily’s report on
April, 5 and 5 May, 2006.
8 See Section 40AE (2) ( c ) of the Education (Amendment) Ordinance 2004
9 See the article written by Mrs. Fanny Law, published on July 2004. http://www.
emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?langno=2&nodeID=2446 (Retrieved on March 2006)
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