Classroom planning and organizing as tasks for the home economics teacher at secondary schools

Abstract

Classroom management, as part-discipline of Educational Management, is a function of the teacher in his role of teacher-manager, consisting of the specific regulative tasks or actions performed by the teacher to facilitate the achievement of effective education within the classroom. The four major classroom managerial tasks for the teacher are the planning, organizing, leading and controlling actions, each consisting of numerous sub-tasks, which, although researched as separate phenomena, are interwoven and interrelated throughout all the managerial activity. The task of planning, which includes the interdependent sub-tasks of goal defining, policy making, decision making and problem solving, consists of the purposeful contemplation by the teacher regarding the future goals of the classroom, the resources and activities involved, and the problems which may occur in the compilation of the most suitable plan for the achievement of effective education. Organizing, as the second major managerial function of the teacher, is facilitated by planning, and consists of the creation of a structure defining the tasks, authority and position of each member of the classroom organization, delegating according to the structure, and co-ordinating all facets of the organization to function as an integrated whole towards the achievement of the goal of effective education. The Home Economics teacher responsible for the presentation of a multi-faceted subject within a complex classroom situation should exercise her managerial functions of planning and organizing to facilitate the effective education of the adolescent secondary school girl in preparation for her future role in her family life within society. The Home Economics teacher should receive comprehensive training in classroom management, consisting of scientifically structured knowledge which will enable her to enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning in her classroom, and also prepare her for possible future promotion positions within the education system which require certain managerial competencies. The managerial tasks of planning and organizing are important functions in the modern classroom where the teacher is being held increasingly accountable for the effectiveness of the education which takes place in the classroom.