Achieving school effectiveness in primary schools in St. Lucia through total quality management

Abstract

It is a recognisable fact that some schools are more effective than others in helping students to develop to their full potential. What differentiates more and less effective schools has been the subject of investigation and researchers have identified certain key correlates. These correlates are related to school features, classroom characteristics, and parental involvement. How we transform schools to a state of effectiveness has not been addressed by research on school effectiveness. One approach for consideration is Total Quality Management (TQM), a practical and strategic management system which has worked wonders for industry. To what extent its successes can be replicated in education has not been explored sufficiently to provide decisive answers. Yet, educators are optimistic that it is the way forward for the 21st century and beyond. Although TQM is an attractive system, it calls for structural and cultural changes which are not easy to come by. In this paper the researcher explores how school effectiveness can be achieved through TQM in St. Lucia and proposes a framework for achieving that goal. The model has teamwork as its focal point with the other components of TQM providing sustainability to the structure.