Students: Partners in school development

By Blessings Kenikeni Kambewa

In many learning institutions in Malawi, there are concerns by school proprietors, school managers, teachers and communities about indiscipline cases mostly by students.

Recently, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, in his capacity as the Catholic University of Malawi Council chairperson, deplored the behaviour of some students during the sixth congregation of the university. At the same function, Archbishop Thomas Msusa, as the university chancellor, stated that he would like to see students being educated holistically.

While some people have argued that our school curriculum is preparing our future generation for white collar jobs and little for skill development, very few have argued about the deficiency of our school curriculum in positive character development hence some students tend to behave in a deplorable manner.

It can be suggested that most of our learning institutions are concerned with subject content and paying little attention to the holistic growth of the learner who is to be a productive citizen not only in looking at how he/she can effectively use modern technology but be in a position to relate well with the society. In cases where the school curriculum does not spell out clearly on how positive character can be developed in students, then involving them in some aspects of management could be one of the ways of helping them to develop positive character.

In most of our learning institutions, students are sometimes regarded as passive participants in their education without regarding them as partners in school management. While some educators may argue that learning institutions involve students in some aspects of management, student involvement in school leadership and governance are mostly given to those who are active and gifted in one way or the other but still with some reservations from the school teachers and administrators. This gives chance to very few learners to practice some managerial skills which can enable them to develop positive character. There is evidence that schools that encourage many students to take part in some aspects of management create better organisational environment for learning and consequently develop positive character.

Different scholars have defined management in many ways but the underlying meaning is that management in any organisation is the art of getting things done through people. A learning institution as an example of an organisation, should involve students in some aspects of management as stakeholders.

When one looks at the stakeholder’s theory, in relation to the management of a learning institution, students are looked at as ‘users’ of the educational service who are directly involved in the process and determine the performance of the learning outcome of which character as a product of behaviour can be attained. Unless many students are stimulated and involved in some aspects of management, the learning process will be empty and unsuccessful regardless of excellent services the learning institution may provide them. This will result in deplorable behaviour as stated by Bishop Mtumbuka.

Learning institutions need to think of ways of involving all students in some aspects of management. Involving students in some issues such as planning for activities that directly involve them, budgeting and buying of some materials at the school, making school menu, cleaning their own environment can help them to be responsible, accountable, disciplined, hardworking, confident and have good problem solving skills through group discussions on issues affecting their lives.

Such involvement helps them to develop socially and psychologically and enable them to acquire qualities and attitudes to become a good person. The promotion of student involvement in some aspects of management makes them ready for a lifetime participation in their communities and nation considering that schools must prepare students to be responsible citizens in society.

Unfortunately, most of our learning institutions follow autocratic, bureaucratic principles and guidelines in management which put students at bay instead of using democratic and participatory principles.

In conclusion, student involvement in some aspects of management at a learning institution has some distinct outcomes in a school climate and personal benefits. Students experience and learn to have a sense of control over their lives.

Secondly, values learnt through their involvement in management can help them to take responsibility for their own action and behavior.

In addition, academic achievement can also be accomplished because students who feel empowered will likely have greater motivation to excel in their studies.