International Schools In Chennai - Leadership Practices In International Schools

It is estimated by the International School Consultancy in October 2017, there are 9,200 international schools and over 5 million students studying in these schools with staff strength of 463,000 around the globe. The increases in the number are driven by the rise of International Baccalaureate schools both in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Despite the growth in the school number, research leadership in these schools is yet to make an impact.

Some of the key features of leadership practice as seen in international schools located in various regions are discussed. The discussion is on the perspectives of leadership and its practices in schools. In case of International Baccalaureate schools in Southeast and East Asia a range of leadership strategies are adopted to address the challenges in implementing innovative curricula like International Baccalaureate programmes. Some of the leadership strategies used by International Baccalaureate schools in Asia is the five disconnection points namely intellectual, instrumental, professional, communicative disconnections and cultural. The actions are addressed through two faces of distributed leaderships; one is the distributed leadership and teacher leadership.

International mindedness is the most significant goal in the formal curriculum in many international schools and it suggests the most difficult goals for school leaders. The leaders engage authentically in the International Mindedness in international schools. The leaders enact IM authentically and the discussion moved onto the emerging literature and ethical leadership.

The complexity of leadership challenges affects international schools in Chennai conceptually and empirically. There is a pattern set between leadership practices and academic achievement confirming the research carried out in non-IB schools in different school systems. The IB exam scores are associated with Strategic Resourcing and Encouraging Teacher Learning and Development. On the contrary monitoring classroom teaching and curriculum has a negative effect on the IB exam scores. The common features of learning affect the status of both international and local schools.

Pre School Chennai – Importance of early education

Early childhood is the most critical part of the a child’s life. The foundation laid at this age is crucial for holistic development of their life. It is at this point of time children develop cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills essential for their success. The early years are largely spent with family and community. The Census data 2011 reveals 164.48 million children are between the age of 0-6 years in India. 

The government has devised educational policies to provide quality pre school programmes. Article 21A provides right to free and compulsory education between the age of 6 and 14 years. Article 45 urges the states to provide free education upto 6 years. Meanwhile, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2010 provides right to quality elementary education. 

The National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy was devised in 2013 and the policy framework includes National Curriculum Framework and Quality Standards for ECCE. The policy brings all children under the age of 6 years to universal access to quality education. Around 1.4 million anganwadi centers cater to 38 million children through the Integrated Child Development Services Programme supported by the nodal department of The Ministry of Women and Child Development. 

Despite the steps taken by the government the number of children enrolled for preschools is less. In the case of elementary education, the number is on the rise, though dropout rates are a major concern. Evaluation reveals that the literacy skills are low in primary grades. All this points to the urgency get children school ready through quality ECE programme. 

Research reveals that early education has long term effects on the child and their future social and economic adjustment. Pre schools in Chennai understand that it can further be passed on to the future generation. Evidences are clear that Early Childhood Education programme change the development projection of a child and make them school friendly.