Course : Ed.D.

-Educational Management

1. Why is Systems Approach necessary in Educational Planning?

According to vocabulary.com, a system is a group of things that

connect and form some kind of coherent whole. It is simply a
combination of things or parts forming a complex whole.

Moreover, Bhaskar and Lajwanti (2019 stated to their study, that

systems approach is a management tool that allows individuals to
examine all aspects of the problem, to inter-relate the effects
of one set of decisions to another, and to optimally use the
resources at hand to solve the problem.

Once a leader sees the organization through a systems lens,

strategic planning will take on new meaning. Typically, the
systems thinking process is organization-wide, or focused on a
major function such as a division, department or other major
function.

With this, in an institution a system is required to ensure a

coherent and well-running structure. Most importantly in
education, wherein as stated by Nelson Mandela “Education is the
most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,”. It
helps us to grow and develop, at the same time, enable us to
shape a better society to live in.

Through systems approach in Education, teachers understand the

basic teaching process. Also, it clarifies objective and means.
Thirdly, it enhances efficiency in guidance process. Fourthly,
learning experiences can be provided properly. Lastly, the
systems approach helps to make educational administration,
educational system and educational instruction more effective.

Under the systems approach, we can ensure the effectivity entire

educational process, adequacy of educational inputs, and thus
other related educational problems can be solved. Furthermore, it
organize and determine different program for the better training
and development of a faculty to assure provision of quality of
education.

2. What are the advantages of Centralized and Decentralized

Planning?

Organization is a social entity, bringing together people

who work together to achieve a specific goal. Satyendra (2021)
emphasized that it is imperative that their decisions are
effective so that it can function in an efficient manner. It
should be exceptional to establish progressive performance and
secure a better future.

In an organization, decision making can be Centralization or

Decentralization.

In centralization, according to Corporate Finance Institute

(2022), there is a hierarchy of formal authority for making all
the important decision for the organization.

The decision-making powers are retained in the head office, and

all other offices receive commands from the main office. The
executives and specialists who make critical decisions are based
in the head office.

Advantages of Centralization:

o The organization can strictly enforce uniformity of

procedures and policies, junior employees know who to
approach whenever they have concerns about the organization.
While, senior executives follow a clear plan of delegating
authority to employees who excel in specific functions.

o It can help in the elimination of overlapping or duplicate

activities and save costs. Likewise, the involvement of a
few people makes the decision-making process more efficient
since they can discuss the details of each decision in one
meeting. Standardization of work also reduces the
replication of tasks that may result in high labor costs.
 Also, the clear chain of command reduces the duplication of
responsibilities that may result in additional costs to the
organization.

o It offers a better control over the activities of the

organization by ensuring consistency in operations and
uniformity in decision-making. There are clear lines of
communication and the senior executive can communicate the
organization’s goal to employees and guide them toward the
achievement of it

In decentralization, Juneja (2015), stated that decision making

is left for the lower level of organization. The management
disperses the decision-making authority across the organization
and brings it closer to the source of action and information.

Advantages of Decentralization:

o There is less burden on the Chief Executive as in the case

of centralization. In decentralization, the subordinates get
a chance to decide and act independently which develops
skills and capabilities. Through this, the organization is
able to process reserve of talents in it.

o Diversification and horizontal can be easily implanted.

Concern diversification of activities can place effectively
since there is more scope for creating new departments.

o Decentralization structure, operations can be coordinated at

divisional level which is not possible in the centralization
set up. Meaning, there is greater motivation and morale of
the employees since they get more independence to act and
decide. Moreover, it helps low-level staff to learn
leadership skills that can contribute to the long-term
growth of the business.

3. What are the benefits of People Empowered Educational

Planning?
 LaMarco (2018), stated that People Empowered Educational
Planning is method that aims to engage and involve the people in
the strategic and design process of a project. It is widely used
in the design process of Child Friendly Spaces, since it enhances
the quality of the project by taking into consideration the
insights of the children, who will eventually be the users of the
space.

Furthermore, the organization, learners and stakeholders will

benefit greatly in People Empowered educational planning. The
practice of genuine participation and creates stronger ties
between the greater stakeholder and its organizations.

4. What is SWOT Analysis? Why is it important in the preparation

of a strategic plan?

SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,

and threats. As stated by Sammu-Bonnici (2015) a SWOT analysis
evaluates the internal strengths and weaknesses, and the external
opportunities and threats in an organization’s environment. She
emphasized that, the internal analysis is used to identify
resources, capabilities, core competencies, and competitive
advantages inherent to the organization. While, the external
analysis associated in market opportunities and threats by
looking at competitors’ resources. In addition, the aim of a
SWOT analysis is to use the knowledge and capabilities of an
organization’s internal and external environments and to create
its strategy accordingly.

Utilizing a SWOT analysis can be use to develop a strategic plan.

It will be more helpful to create a realistic vision for the
future of an organization that will maximize its potential for
progression.
In educational planning, as mentioned by Qasim (2021), a SWOT
analysis can be the driving force for implementing change. It
can be a strategy to plan learning situations that provide a
vision with specific goals to strengthen the activities of the
educational process, improve its weaknesses, and show its
strengths in order to inspire new achievements. Additionally, The
inclusion of the strategy on educational procedures gives
students the flexibility and fluidity of evaluative thinking in
building knowledge and using their skills effectively.

V. References

Bhaskar and Lajwanti (2019) Academic Hosting & Event Management

Solutions
Retrieved from, www.iiste.org)

Corporate Finance institute (CFI) (2022) Centralization

Retrieved from,
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/strateg
y/centralization/

Habitat for Humanity of Broward (2022) 10 Benefits Showing Why

Education Is Important to Our Society
Retrieved from,https:/habitatbroward.org/benefits-of-education

Juneja, Prachi (2015) Centralization and Decentralization

Retrieved from, https://www.managementstudyguide.com/
centralization_decentralization.htm

LaMarco, N (2018, November)The Importance of Human Resource

Developments in Education.
Retrieved from,https://smallbusiness.chron.com
 
Miller-Williams, Sheri L. and Kritsonis William Allan (2013)
A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL REFORM: USING THE
REALMS OF MEANING AND THE BALDRIDGE MODEL AS A SYSTEMS FRAMEWORK
Retrieved from,www.nationalforum.com
Qasim Irzooqi Qasim. (2021) The Influence of the SWOT Analysis
Strategy on the Achievement of the Fifth Preparatory Literary
Class
Students’ Evaluative Thinking at History.
Retrieved from, https://www.intjecse.net/datacms/
articles/20211202113834am211041.pdf

Sammu-Bonnici, Tanya (2015) SWOT Analysis.

Retrieved from,https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tanya-Sammut-
Bonnici