Participatory Management in Secondary Schools

Abstract

   This article aims to present approaches to secondary schools administration based on the concept of participatory management, which has increasingly been adopted in recent years. Traditionally, school administration was centralized, with the school principal acting as the core authority, communicating policies through vice principals to teachers, who functioned primarily as subordinates responsible for receiving and following administrative directives. In contrast, contemporary school management places greater emphasis on leveraging positive relationships among teachers, parents, communities, and schools. Through collaboration and coordination among these stakeholders, schools can strengthen their educational foundations, reduce educational inequality, and create opportunities for curriculum development that is meaningfully connected to the community context. Therefore, if secondary schools nationwide adopt participatory approaches in school administration, this would represent a transformative shift in the management of Thai secondary education. Participatory school administration can be implemented through the following strategies: 1. fostering an open organizational culture that encourages teachers, parents, and community members to exchange ideas and collaboratively develop the school; 2. promoting effective communication at all levels, beginning with administrators’ communication skills, since clear and accessible communication is essential prior to policy implementation; and 3. integrating technology into school administration to enhance operational efficiency.