Die senior adjunk–hoof as verhoudings– en kommunikeringsagent tussen die hoof en professionele personeel

Abstract

The new structuring of posts in the Transvaal Education Department that came into effect in October 1984, has brought about changes in the managerial posts of the larger secondary schools. The managerial posts have been extended to include a senior deputy headmaster. A complex school may now have the services of two deputy headmaster and one senior deputy headmaster. This extension has been made necessary by the large number of teachers and pupils in a complex school, as well as the variety of subject packages offered. The headmaster should maintain personal contact with all members of his staff, and in a complex school, this contact suffers. The senior deputy headmaster must therefore adopt this extremely important task, that of building relationships and opening lines of communication, as his own responsibility. The school as an organization, functions mainly through personal interactions that are accomplished by effective communication. Where the workload on the headmaster makes communication and the building of relationships difficult, the senior deputy headmaster should be delegated this task. To see the building of relationships and the opening of lines of communication in their correct perspective, they should be regarded on a religious basis. The Christian educator accepts the Word of God as instructional and governing in all he does. To build meaningful relationships and good communications are God-given instructions. The directions given to man at the creation, ie. to order and rule, are only possible through successful and effective communication, within a framework of good relationships. The characteristics of relationship and communication building are dealt with in Chapter two. Research has ascertained that the tasks of the headmaster cover too wide a field to be dealt with by only one person. He should have some support and assistance. Time to establish personal contact with his staff, and to build healthy relationships is limited, and this gap should be filled by the senior deputy headmaster. Chapter three therefore deals with the building of meaningful relationships. Attention is paid to the nature and meaning of personal relationships. The characteristics and skills vitally necessary in a senior deputy headmaster, to assist him in building successful relationships are also indicated. No management is possible without communication. The senior deputy headmaster is co-manager of the school, and therefore, establishing good communication is an important task of his. Chapter four deals with communication as the administrative task of the senior deputy head; and also highlights the characteristics and fundamentals of communication. The concept of communication is described by several definitions and the importance of effective communication is stressed. The steps in building communication are discussed, and factors weakening or strengthening communication are focused upon. A resume, findings, conclusions and recommendations, follow in Chapter five.