An analysis of governance of Daughters of Charity schools: Basis for framework and strategy to strengthen governance of the school system

• Main Author: Benitez, Freida P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2001
• Subjects: Corporate governance; School management and organization; Management; Educational Administration and Supervision
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/941
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aims to design a framework and strategy to strengthen governance of schools owned and managed by the Daughters of Charity. Specifically, it describes the governance practices, structures, patterns, dimensions, and the roles, functions, compositions of the Board of Trustees. It also analyzes and assesses the performance of the governing boards of the schools of the Daughters of Charity. This research is a case study of a school system, particularly the governance of the school owned and managed by the Daughters of Charity. Two data gathering techniques were used. The qualitative technique included documentary, issue scheme and interaction analysis while the quantitative technique made use of the answers to the two sets of questionnaires with the Likert scale used to measure the responses. The responses were treated statistically by the use of weighted mean average and paired t-test. The respondents were the officers and members of the Board of Trustees. It was revealed that practices were circumscribed within the domains of PARTICULARLY DECISION-MAKING with special emphasis on CONSULTATION and COLLABORATION. Governance structures were multifarious and they supported the practices, patterns, and dimensions of governance in the school system. Pattern of school governance was noted to be eclectic, encompassing bureaucratic, political and collegial patterns. Dimensions covered the planning, implementing and evaluating phases of school governance. The roles of the Board of Trustees converged into four categories, namely, legislative and policy making, as an appraisal body, as guardian of financial resources, and as a judicial body. The Board set the direction of the institution, saw to it that the school has adequate material and human resources to implement its programs, to appoint key officers, and generally to be there when needed by the institution. The Board of Trustees was made up of officers and members of the congregation of the Daughters of Charity, local ordinary, alumni and parents. All of them have proper educational background to cope with the demands of the educational apostolate of the congregation. Consultants on legal and financial matters were available when the need arise. Analysis and assessment of performance of the Governing Board resulted in the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the governing board and ultimately of the governance of schools owned and managed by the Daughters of Charity. These were used as the basis for the formulation of the framework and strategy for strengthening of governance in the school system of the Daughters of Charity.