M.ED UNIT-I Principles of management / Levels of Management

EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT

Educational management refers to the administration of the education system whereby a collective group combines human and material resources to supervise, plan, strategise, and implement structures to execute the functions of an education system.^[1][2]

Education is the equipping of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, habits, and attitudes through learning experiences. The education system is an ecosystem of professionals situated in educational institutions such as Government ministries, unions, statutory boards, agencies, and schools. The education system comprises political heads, principals, teaching staff, non-teaching staff, administrative personnel and other education professionals working in tandem to enrich and enhance.^[3][4] At all levels of the ecosystem in the education system, management is required. Management involves the planning, organising, implementation, review, evaluation, and integration of clear deliverables of the institution.

Principles of management by  Henri Fayol

1. Division of work - In practice, employees are specialized in different areas and they have different skills. Different levels of expertise can be distinguished within the knowledge areas (from generalist to specialist). Personal and professional developments support this. According to Henri Fayol specialization promotes efficiency of the workforce and increases productivity. In addition, the specialization of the workforce increases their accuracy and speed. This management principle of the 14 principles of management is applicable to both technical and managerial activities.
2. Authority - According to Henri Fayol, the accompanying power or authority gives the management the right to give orders to the subordinates.
3. Discipline - This third principle of the 14 principles of management is about obedience. It is often a part of the core values of a mission and vision in the form of good conduct and respectful interactions 
4. Unity of command - Every employee should receive orders from only one superior or behalf of the superior.
5. Unity of direction - Each group of organizational activities that have the same objective should be directed by one manager using one plan for achievement of one common goal.
6. Subordination of Individual Interest - The interests of any one employee or group of employees should not take precedence over the interests of the organization as a whole.
7. Remuneration - All Workers must be paid a fair wage for their services.
8. Centralisation and decentralisation - Centralisation refers to the degree to which subordinates are involved in decision making.
9. Scalar chain - The line of authority from top management to the lowest ranks represents the scalar chain. Communications should follow this chain.
10. Order - this principle is concerned with systematic arrangement of men, machine, material etc. There should be a specific place for every employee in an organization
11. Equity - Managers should be kind and fair to their subordinates.
12. Stability of tenure of personnel - High employee turnover is inefficient. Management should provide orderly personnel planning and ensure that replacements are available to fill vacancies.
13. Initiative - Employees who are allowed to originate and carry out plans will exert high levels of effort.
14. team spirit - Promoting team spirit will build harmony and unity within the organization.

    Three Levels of Management

    The three levels of management provide a separation between the managerial positions of the organization. The administrative rank of an organization worker determines the extent of authority, the status enjoyed and the chain of command that can be controlled by the worker. There are three levels of management found within an organization, where managers at these levels have different roles to perform for the organization to have a smooth performance, and the levels are:
15. 1. Top-Level Management/ Administrative level
    2. Middle-Level Management/ Executory
    3. Low-level Management/  Supervisory
    The levels of Management and Their Functions are Discussed Below:

    • Top Level Management

    The Top-Level Management is also referred to as the administrative level. They coordinate services and are keen on planning. The top-level management is made up of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) or the President and the Vice President.
    The Top level management controls the mahttps://youtu.be/5UxHMGZc7hInagement of goals and policies and the ultimate source of authority of the organization. They apply control and coordination of all the activities of the firm as they organize the several departments of the enterprise which would include their budget, techniques, and agendas.
    The Top-level management is accountable to the shareholders for the performance of the organization. There are several functions performed by the top-level management, but three of them are the most important, and they are:
    • To lay down the policies and objective of the organization
    • Strategizing the plans of the enterprise and aligning competent managers to the departments or middle level to carry them out.
    • Keeping the communication between the enterprise and the outside world.

    • Middle Level of Management

    The Middle level Management is also referred to as the executory level, they are subordinates of the top-level management and are responsible for the organization and direction of the low-level management. They account for the top-level management for the activities of their departments.
    The middle-level managers are semi- executives and are made up of the departmental managers and branch manager. They could be divided into senior and junior middle-level management if the organization is big. They coordinate the responsibilities of the sub-unit of the firm and access the efficiency of lower-level managers.
    The middle-level managers are in charge of the employment and training of the lower levels. They are also the communicators between the top level and the lower level as they transfer information, reports, and other data of the enterprise to the top-level. Apart from these, there are three primary functions of the middle-level management in the organization briefed below:
    • To carry out the plans of the organization according to policies and directives laid down by the top level management.
    • To organize the division or departmental activities.
    • To be an inspiration or create motivation for junior managers to improve their efficiency.

    • Lower Level of Management

    The lower level Management is also referred to as the supervisory or the operative level of managers. They oversee and direct the operative employees. They spend most of their time addressing the functions of the firm, as instructed by the managers above them.
    The lower level managers are the first line of managers as they feature at the base of operations, so they are essential personnel that communicates the fundamental problems of the firm to the higher levels. This management level is made up of the foreman, the line boss, the shift boss, the section chief, the head nurse, superintendents, and sergeants. They are the intermediary, they solve issues amidst the workers and are responsible for the maintenance of appropriate relationship within the organization. They are also responsible for training, supervising and directing the operative employees.
    The lower level managers represent the management to the operative workers as they ensure discipline and efficiency in the organization. The duty of inspiration and encouragement falls to them, as they strengthened the workforce. They also organize the essential machines, tools and other materials required by the employees to get their job done.
    Briefed below are the primary functions of the lower-level management:
    • To allocate tasks and responsibilities to the operative employees.
    • To ensure quality and be responsible for the production quantity.
    • To communicate the goals and objective of the firm laid down by the higher level
    • managers to the employees and also the suggestions, recommendations, appeals and information concerning employee problems to the higher level managers.
    • To give instruction and guided direction to workers on their day to day jobs.
    • To give periodic reports of the workers to the higher level managers.