Teacher as a Decision Maker: Experiences of Teachers of the Government Schools in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Decision making culture of the government schools in Sri Lanka was changed in 2006 with the implementation of the Sri Lankan version of School Based Management (SBM), the Programme of School Improvement (PSI). According to the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka (Ministry of Education, 2008) teachers are given more opportunities to participate in school decision making. Teachers represent key decision making boards of the schools, such as School Development Committee (SDC) and School Management Committee in the school. Therefore, teachers have experiences as decision makers in their schools. Hence, this study was carried out to explore stakeholders and teachers’ experiences in decision making role of the teachers. Main research question of this study is to examine the role of the teachers as decision makers in the government schools in Sri Lanka. In order to study this research problem qualitative research methodology and case study approach were employed. Interview and document survey were used as the main data collection instruments. Purposively selected three government schools, and principals, teachers and parents were the participants. Thematic analyze was used as the data analyzing technique. It was revealed that the teachers’ involvement in the decision making process is not strong enough. Selection of the members for the SDC is not much democratic. Key decisions are made by the principal. Majority of the teachers have not been empowered for participatory decision making. It should be provided several opportunities for the teachers to increase their involvement in school decision making.