ARTICLES

Educational management and leadership
By:- zubia junaid - karachi

There is great interest in educational management and leadership in the early part of the twenty-first century. This is because of the widespread belief that the quality of leader-ship makes a significant difference to school and student outcomes. In many parts of the world, including both developed and developing countries, there is recognition that schools require effective leaders and managers if they are to provide the best possible education for their students and learners. As the global economy gathers pace, more governments are realizing that their main assets are their people and that remaining, or becoming, competitive depends increasingly on the development of a highly skilled workforce. This requires trained and committed teachers but they, in turn, need the leadership of highly effective principals with the support of other seniors and mid managers.

Educational leadership and management are fields of study and practice concerned with the operation of schools and other educational organizations.

Bolam (1999: 194) defines educational management as ‘an executive function for carrying out agreed policy’. From an Indian perspective, Sapre (2002: 102) states that ‘management is a set of activities directed towards efficient and effective utilization of organizational resources in order to achieve organizational goals.

Glatter (1979: 16) argues that management studies are concerned with ‘the internal operation of educational institutions, and also with their relationships with their environment, that is, the communities in which they are set, and with the governing bodies to which they are formally responsible’. In other words, managers in schools and colleges have to engage with both internal and external audiences in leading their institutions. This statement delineates the boundaries of educational management but leaves open questions about the nature of the subject.

Leadership is often linked to school improvement. Almost two decades ago, Beare et al. stressed its importance: Outstanding leadership has invariably emerged as a key characteristic of outstanding schools. There can no longer be doubt that those seeking quality in education must ensure its presence and that the development of potential leaders must be given high priority. (1992: 99, emphasis added)This normative statement has been echoed by many researchers, and by policy-makers.

Fear of Failure  By:- Engr.M Ali Nadir- Karachi FEAR OF FAILURE: THE BIGGEST HURDLE There are, no doubt, various causes of inaction and lethargy but fear of failure is, perhaps, the biggest cause of lazy tendencies of human nature. When fear of failure overpowers our thoughts, all possibilities of success wither away long before the actual failure. No matter how much strong we might be, we accept perceptional failure in the very beginning of journey. Therefore, we behave hesitantly for advancing in our mission. Resultantly, all material resources prove futile and failure becomes a reality. Although visible causes of failure can’t be underestimated yet the fear of failure is the biggest hurdle on the way. In fact, fear of failure makes us feel weak and incompetent to achieve our set goals. It makes us observe our weaknesses and ignore our potential. We remain cold and self-opposing. That is why, our actions turn into deep fears and a materially small task seems us unachievable. Consequently, we exhibit inaction and dormant attitude. Sense of failure is more perceptional and less factual; more amorphous and less tangible. We actually fail when we accept failure. Similarly, success is a mindset; a sense of achievement. It is, therefore, pertinent to say that fear of failure is an attacking agent for our gifted abilities. It locks up our potentials into dark cells and affects determination negatively. Attitudes play their role in defining one’s destiny. A negative attitude breeds several fears including fear of failure. A personality encircled by self-imposed fears remains shattered and reluctant in practical life. It is afraid of unseen challenges which knock at both body and mind during real life. Therefore, it prefers pre-set rules to creativity and leader-like role. On the other hand, a positive attitude not only pins down all fears but also accepts challenges and converts them into opportunities. Such an attitude makes leaders out of ordinary people. They are not ready to accept failure at any stage of their course. They are energetic and determined. They are more leading and less following. They are discoverer, inventor and active participant in society. For example; Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before inventing bulb. Failures could not make him tired or afraid. Instead, repetitive attempts made him more focused and curious. Interestingly, fear of failure is not impregnable. It can be overcome easily. There are a number of techniques to stamp down it. However, all techniques call for self-revision and a change within. First of all we should believe that failures are a part of life. They are as inevitable as are achievements. It is not meant to accept the failure as an excuse for inaction in the very beginning and give up. Rather, it calls for accommodating the failure as a booster in lifecycle of our missions. Putting it simple, it is emphasized to accept the existence of failure and reject the thought of failure. Mind should be trained to assume success. It should not be fearful of undesired consequences. Instead, it should be ready to face the real time situations and figuring out solutions. This pattern of thinking is conducive to both invisible human psyche and observable behaviours. Moreover, the company of positive people is also crucial to modify thinking tendencies and sharpen desired attitude. It is more than necessary to accompany with positive people in order to highlight one’s hidden capabilities. It is, however, requires rigorous self- training and a paradigm shift in thinking habits. Only then, men of extraordinary abilities can be produced out of ostensible down-trodden society.
		Investigation Dogmas
		By:- Noshin Bashir -  Karachi

Panaaaaaaaaama Papers are getting probed!

Take away the formation of commission to carry out the investigations relating to the offshore belongings of Sharif's family. Examplify any democratic institution or State in which investigation discourse is enacted by the suspects. It must be up to the state institutions (which are given the relevant tasks) to specify the discourse and personnel in lieu of investigations.

The real sense of democracy can be placed by both removing nepotism and instituting the meritocracy in all credible state institutions as well. Of these FIA., NAB., NACTA., Imm. and Passport., Police are comprehended. The heads of these notable state institutions must not come through the convenience of ruling elite but should be adopted via certain standard operating procedures. The ultimate responsibility lies on head of any institution and the distractions in the service delivery can trigger serious consequences and apprehensions. Take the example of judicial commission formed to probe the alleged rigging in election 2013. If the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was competent enough to assess the irregularities in election process than the need for judicial commission may not have arisen.

The ruling class must take steps to reinforce the believability of state institutions rather than forming the judicial commissions by and large.