The School Governing Council, an organization every school must have, is geared toward the holistic development of schoolchildren. It is child-centered and focused on the learner’s performance. The experiences of schools with functional school councils are utilized to assist other schools.
School governance refers to the authority of education stakeholders to jointly make decisions directed towards the continuous improvement of learning and promoting student’s welfare in the school. It is the partnership among school stakeholders who make strategic decisions that shape the school and its work and are, therefore, ultimately accountable for the work and actions of the whole system.
According to Daquioag (2012) when school leaders help stakeholders move sources of power, motivation, self-esteem and well-being, those within the school community develop a broader and deeper sense of responsibility to the work they share and a strong commitment to seeing the school succeed. When stakeholders are included in the decision-making process, they are more likely to implement change that ultimately benefits the learning and development of school children. Accountability means taking one’s fair share of responsibility for outcomes. Being accountable means one answers for his/her actions as well as the results of his/her actions. Accountability is not taking credit, but also accepting the blame.
In the school governance, stakeholders with harmonized perspectives and experiences are crucial to improving the lives of children, youth, families, and the community.
By Cherielyn C. Espregante