THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NEW ZEALAND: PROBLEMS, DILEMMAS AND RESPONSE
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb009740 |
| Published date | 01 January 1976 |
| Date | 01 January 1976 |
| Pages | 16-30 |
| Author | RICHARD J. BATES |
| Subject Matter | Education |
THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
VOLUME XIV, No. 1 May, 1976
THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF
SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NEW ZEALAND: PROBLEMS,
DILEMMAS AND RESPONSE
RICHARD J. BATES
Using material from contemporary New Zealand experience as a case study, this paper
presents a functional analysis of the organizational problems facing secondary schools,
develops a typology of dilemmas posed as a result of these problems, and discusses the man-
ner in which various educational agencies, including the central Department, Teachers'
Organizations and the recent Educational Development Conference have attempted to per-
suade schools to resolve these dilemmas in particular ways. Comments are also made on the
internal characteristics of schools which may influence their resolution of these dilemmas in
different ways thus leading to a growing heterogeneity within the state educational system.
INTRODUCTION
One of the major problems faced by educational administrators is the
dominance of reflexive decision making over decisions which might more
appropriately further the overall policy goals of particular schools or
systems. The main effects of
such
reflexive response to the demands of the
moment is the attempted implementation of a variety of policies which,
while they may be individually defensible on some substantial educational
grounds, may cumulatively contribute to the development of stresses and
strains within the organization as their practical incompatibility becomes
evident.
Assistance in such a situation depends largely on the development of a
conceptual scheme which will allow the identification and integration of
policy decisions. This paper is an attempt to provide such a conceptual
scheme. It is based on a functionalist description of organizational
problems, develops a typological analysis of dilemmas faced in responding
to these problems and concludes with a discussion of organizational
responses encouraged in New Zealand secondary schools by various
educational bodies. Suggestions are also made as to factors which may en-
courage differential responses to the dilemmas. Illustrations are drawn
from contemporary New Zealand experience as a case study, especially
that following the recent Educational Development Conference.
RICHARD J. BATES is Senior Lecturer in the Education Department, Massey University,
New Zealand. He is editor of Delta, journal of the department, and Prospects in New
Zealand Education, and has published a number of articles, mainly concerned with the
Sociology of the School, in educational and sociological journals.
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