The Curious Case of The HoDs Migration

When you look at TES job adverts, you will notice that a number of WCC teachers have chosen to leave their feeding grounds and look for greener pastures.

This is a normal event that occurs yearly and, in early summer, the teachers along with the whole family take off from their nesting grounds to find more productive feeding areas—and this movement could be in any direction. This happens in the early summer before the massive outward migration as job opportunities open up across the continents.

 However, if you are familiar with the surroundings, you will find that an abnormally large number of Heads of Departments have regained their flight. At least eight (8) HoDs or Heads of services have been compelled to look elsewhere for a safer environment. (A.K.A a mass walk-out) Among the most conspicuous key roles to leave the nest we find Arts, Chemistry, Psychology, History, MFL, Digital Leader, School System Expert and Business Studies, not to mention some other roles of critical influence in the school. *

Were you the principal of the school, you should be alarmed at the loss of expertise in the most crucial and pivotal leadership positions. The creation of the Heads of Faculties positions may be a reason for this as the subject leaders may find themselves under constant pressure from increased daily tasks and newly-appointed Heads of Faculties whose role - so far- has been nothing but to relay instructions and policies from their own line managers downwards.

The added layer of bureaucracy has been noted by many as hindering and unproductive. Yes, a large school may require a large logistical system and added gears for it to sustain the increased number of 'bums on seats' but to lose the experts who connect the dots within and between departments is certainly cause for alarm.

More managers does not necessarily mean a better functioning of the system. Consider this, during the last fire alarm, the staff followed the instructions prescribed for them and, once at the muster point, chaos ensued. Teachers and students were confused as to where they had to queue up. It was total mayhem. Thankfully, it was a false alarm and no real danger was detected. However, it was a stark warning of the ineffective and dysfunctional leadership. They have put everyone's lives at risk by their unpreparedness for such a scenario and their detachment from the on-the-ground operations of the school. Surely, they could just hide in their cosy offices and fire away emails and revisions of policies and procedures but the fact remains that they were very lucky not to have caused any further damage or loss of life.

You can't be lucky all the time. The odds are always against you and it is no betting matter.

No wonder the teachers who take pride in their jobs and roles as educators have opted to leave the troubled waters and search for clearer ones. Incompetence is leadership's most damaging enemy. They have already lost allies, people's respect, credibility and - God forbid - may cause further damage to people's safety. 

Dear leadership, the thing is, incompetence does not cure itself with time. You will have to be honest, admit ignorance and seek help. Being stubborn does not help your cause and it just worsens your condition. Now watch the flock fly away in a V formation. V best performed with two fingers.

* We stand corrected, it seems it is 10 HoDs when including Physics and Sciences.