The role of administration of agricultural schools and colleges

Abstract

ln this long essay I hope to bring together some of the more important aspects of administration and management that have to be addressed by administrators of agricultural schools and colleges. I hope to give an overview of what administration and management involve in institutions of this type. Such institutions offer technical training in agriculture, computer studies, horticulture and animal leadership and other subjects related to agriculture just below the academic level of a first university degree. Some previous secondary school education is necessary. Although agricultural trade schools and colleges are often run by the agricultural ministry, in Malta, these are run by the Education Department. In agricultural education, as in all other organisation and institution, the importance of training institutions depends directly upon the vitality of their administrators and management. If an agricultural school or college is to contribute significantly to the progress of the society and educational system with which it is associated, as well as to student progress, it must engender this vitality and provide a favourable climate for its full and continuous development. The training of students in an agricultural school or college is not intended solely to train the student to go into agriculture as a business on one's own, though some students do just this and should be encouraged to do so. They are also trained to have the ability to work with people because some will become extension officers employed with the agriculture department and most of their time will be devoted to advising and assisting farmers and officers high up in the agricultural department.