The effective Heads of Institutions (HOIs) are vital in driving holistic education reforms and realising the vision of NEP 2020, yet many remain limited to administrative tasks
The success of the implementation of NEP 2020 lies significantly in the proactive and innovative roles of HOIs (school leaders). An HOI prepares a school development plan by embracing holistic education reforms, integrating technology, and fostering a learning environment.
Being a government teacher, I observe and value the impact of a credible HOI in adapting to and engaging with the community, leaving a lasting impact on the broader educational environment. The school HOI plays a key role in realizing the vision of NEP 2020, ensuring the effective transition from policy to practice. However, I also observe that the majority of HOIs have restricted themselves to DDOs (passing salary bills only). In lower schools, in most cases, the HOI is either satisfied with a clerical job or spends time roaming between the school and the ZEO office, with no research, no vision, no mission, no strategy, and no goal for the holistic development of the school.
A school’s HOI should be a researcher with a strong grasp of pedagogy, especially for inclusive education. My HOI should be the first source of learning for me—the first to inculcate work culture, pedagogy, the concept of holistic development, and inclusive education. He should be the one to connect me, as an educator, with the community.
In a school, the HOI stands for the Head of the Institution, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the school’s operations, including academics, student welfare, and overall school culture. His role is of utmost importance in setting the vision, driving improvements, and ensuring that the school achieves its educational goals. Leadership occupies a pivotal position in every sphere of human activity. In education, leadership can be instrumental in reshaping, reinventing, and reorienting the growth and dynamics of the education system. The New Education Policy (NEP 2020) is designed to revitalize the landscape of the Indian education system, where leadership plays a crucial role. School leaders are instrumental in utilizing available resources and ushering in sustainable changes in the teaching and learning environment.
Key Responsibilities of a School HOI
or School Leader
Vision and Strategy: The primary responsibility of an HOI is to develop a clear mission focused on students’ academic progress. He must inspire and lead new, challenging innovations. The vision of a school is to transform students and prepare them not only for tests but also for life’s challenges.
Vision: What the school aims to accomplish.
Mission: A general statement about achieving the vision.
Strategy: A series of steps using the mission to achieve the vision.
A good vision statement for a school could be: “To cultivate a community of lifelong learners, empowered by a holistic education that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility to thrive in a dynamic world.”
Academic Leadership: Monitoring teaching and learning quality, ensuring effective pedagogy, and analyzing student achievement data to drive improvement.
Community Engagement: Building relationships with parents, guardians, and community organizations to seek their support.
Valuing Resourceful Educators: Appreciating and cherishing skilled educators while fostering a positive working environment.
Student Welfare: Promoting a safe and inclusive school climate, addressing student needs, and supporting student well-being.
Compliance and Reporting: Ensuring adherence to educational policies, regulations, and reporting requirements.
Leading by Example: Demonstrating a relentless pursuit of knowledge and openness to new ideas.
Financial Management: NEP 2020 calls for significant investment in education. An HOI should be capable of securing and utilizing funds judiciously.
Training and Leadership Development
for HOIs
The impact of an HOI is more significant in a school than that of teachers, yet they receive lesser training. There should be more rigorous training programs for HOIs, ensuring they lead from the front in all aspects, much like an officer in the army.There should be both offline and online training programs exclusively for HOIs. For education leaders such as school headmasters, NEP 2020 recommends several modular leadership programs, including workshops to enhance leadership qualities.
For the past decade, primary school HOIs in remote rural areas have often been only 12th-pass, lacking the qualities of leadership and management altogether. These positions should be filled with well-trained and qualified HOIs. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) should take responsibility for training HOIs more rigorously, infusing leadership qualities into them.
The author is a regular columnist and
freelance writer
