Having the Gift of Good Governance

The Governing Board and its effectiveness in executing its role is key to the success, growth and development of the educational setting it is managing. Good governance is key, and the role of the governor is a strategic one in all educational settings, acting as a critical friend and a balance to the leadership and management. Governance describes the work the governing board undertakes and how it sets the standard and the values of the educational setting.

The governing boards role is about supporting and working with, the senior leadership team within the setting to ensure that organisation is functioning effectively and in accordance with the boards requirements and is governed with a purpose. This involves planning for the future and preserving the organisation’s values and reputation. It ensures sound financial planning and effective human resources as well as accountability for the organisation’s actions and decisions. In schools, the key difference between governance and management is the distinct separation between strategic leadership (governance) and the operational running of the school (management).

Governance is the role of boards while management is the responsibility of the school’s leadership with the Principal acting as the thread to bind them both in terms of strategic and operational. Governing boards provide vital leadership to schools. They ensure that schools are well-run by management and that sustainable outcomes are delivered. They act as stewards to ensure a school supports the most promising opportunities for its students. The focus of a school’s governing board is to establish the strategy for the principal and school management so as to provide the best education possible for every student at the school

These important group of stakeholders and the processes they follow and implement perform a crucial role in:

1. Setting strategic direction within the context of a clearly-stated vision and ethos;

2. Holding the senior leadership team accountable for the achievement of strategy and running of the school;

3. Overseeing the overall educational performance of the school and suggesting ways for improvement;

4. Overseeing the financial performance of the school – this includes setting fees, budget oversight, and achieving financial targets.

As stated in the recent publication The Gift Of Good Governance, A guide for the Private Schools Community in Dubai, ‘international research and school inspection results have shown that good school governance has a positive impact on school performance; where governance is good, standards of student attainment are likely to be higher. Conversely, poor governance is often cited as a reason why schools fail. This is reflected in Dubai and throughout all member countries of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A school governing board acts as a critical friend to the school, challenging the status quo and setting expectations.’

It then goes on to list the 8 key features of good governance:

1.    Leadership and culture

2.    Clarity of purpose

3.    Accountability

4.    Diversity and independence

5.    Effectiveness and efficiency

6.    Roles and responsibilities

7.    Compliance

8.    Community engagement

Each of the 8 areas contains a comprehensive, and easily adaptable list of key features of effective governance for the school boards in Dubai.

Some examples of these are:

Leadership and culture – enacting on the belief that every stakeholder should make appositive contribution to the wider society, guided and led by the board.

Clarity of purpose – develops a clear purpose and strategy to achieve the purpose

Accountability – holds senior management accountable for the achievement of educational and financial performance outcomes in accordance with the agreed purpose and strategy

Diversity and independence – includes capable board members with a diverse mix of skills, experience, qualities and capabilities to think critically and make effective decisions and has independence that enables it to discharge its governance roles and responsibilities objectively and effectively

Effectiveness and efficiency – creates standing and ad hoc structures such as sub- or special project committees to delegate work to promote independent judgment and assist with balance of power and the effective discharge of duties

Roles and responsibilities – has the authority to hire and terminate the employment of the school principal and has the authority to request any information from the principal and senior management.

Compliance – ensures all relevant statutory and contractual requirements are satisfied ? Ensures compliance with applicable laws ? Adopts non-binding rules, codes and standards ethically and helps the school achieve its mission and purpose

Community engagement – adopts a stakeholder-inclusive approach that balances the needs, interests and expectations of important stakeholders in the best interests of the school over time

Any organisation needs responsible, skilled, knowledgeable and appropriate adults to support in the aims an objectives of the setting. The Gift of Good Governance, A guide for the Private Schools Community in Dubai, written by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) gives a comprehensive outline of what is required and why. There is some way to go for schools to develop good governance which is representative of the school body as oppose to an owner led structure, something which can be transitioned in the coming years, supporting a diverse board with multiple stakeholders.