Time management in Gozo primary schools

Abstract

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is also the art of leaving things undone. Time, or rather, the lack of it is a recurrent issue among most Primary School Heads. Yet, the real problem lies in the effective use of time. This long essay deals with time management by Headteachers of Primary Schools in Gozo. A questionnaire was given to all heads of Primary Schools in Gozo. This, together with my experience in working as a teacher in a Primary School, I had a look at the practices and feelings about time management in our schools. Through the analysis of the questionnaires and the backup of theory I tried to evolve my ideas regarding the effective utilisation of time. In Gozo it results that we have efficient Heads of Schools who at times feel that they are overworked, yet they still do not find enough time to do what they value most in their work: the pedagogical aspects of the curriculum and its implementation. At the heart of time management there is a significant shift in focus: Concentrate on results, not on being busy. The best way to achieve this is through the exact scrutiny of how time is being utilized. This process involves: keeping a daily logbook, its analysis and consequent decisions on what to prioritise. Good and specialised training needs to be given in the usage of this "tool". I concluded that Assistant Headteachers would need to be trained first and foremost so as to have good knowledge and practice by the time they are in a headship position.