NCEL Takes Proactive Steps to Equip School Leaders with Skills to Function Effectively

In an era when the educational landscape is rapidly evolving, the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL) has taken proactive steps to equip school leaders, educators, and system leaders with the skills to function efficiently and effectively within their schools.

With a focus on innovation and inclusivity, the College has launched a suite of new learning products and initiatives aimed at enhancing leadership capabilities, fostering accountability and, ultimately, improving educational outcomes for students. One of the standout initiatives, Leadership EmpowerMENt, is designed to provide targeted and strategic support to pre-service and in-service male leaders in the education sector.

Interim Director/Principal, NCEL, Keriffe Clark, tells JIS News that Leadership EmpowerMENt is rooted in the belief that men play a vital role in the holistic development of individuals and serve as positive role models within schools and communities, particularly in an industry dominated by females. “This programme seeks to enhance the capabilities of men through relevant discussions and strategies, structured around three key pillars – Mentorship, Empowerment, and Networking,” he says. NCEL has also developed the Financial Leadership and Management in Schools (FLMS) course to better support these school leaders and educators in fulfilling their fiduciary duties.

Mr. Clark points out that every year, substantial funds are allocated to education, that must be managed at the local level in schools.

However, in most schools, the responsibility of financial management often falls on administrators, senior teachers, and educators, even if they lack formal training in financial oversight.

This asynchronous course aims to introduce participants to essential financial leadership and management principles, equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively lead and manage financial resources in schools and promote greater levels of financial accountability within educational institutions.

The ‘Introduction to School and System Leadership’ course aims to prepare pre-service and early-career teachers to become effective leaders within their schools and the broader education system.

Recognising the importance of inclusive leadership that extends beyond the classroom, this hands-on course aims to cultivate reflective, strategic, and adaptive leadership skills essential for fostering school success.

The modules under this course are ‘Understanding Leadership and Leadership Styles’ – which explores the various leadership approaches and how they influence school culture and outcomes; ‘Leadership and School Dynamics’ – focusing on internal and external factors shaping school environments and how leaders can navigate them; ‘System Leadership’ – which introduces strategies for leading beyond individual schools to influence systemic change and policy; and ‘Personal Agency’ – which focuses on cultivating self-awareness and empowerment to act as proactive change agents within educational settings.

Another pioneering course is the ‘Leadership in Action: A Practical Guide to Transforming School’, which assists school leaders to effectively transform their schools into high-performing, inclusive, physically and emotionally safe environments, which are critical for stakeholders to thrive.

This Guide combines frameworks and templates to manage organisational change, design leadership interventions that resonate within their specific contexts and effectively measure their impact on student and institutional outcomes.

“Actionable strategies are what we need to drive sustainable change,” Mr. Clark asserts.

As NCEL continues to take a comprehensive approach to reform education, the College’s ‘Leadership 360’ initiative advocates for an inclusive approach to leadership.

According to Mr. Clark, this multifaceted initiative is designed to provide a holistic view of education transformation and to equip pre- and in-service educational leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively exercise greater levels of leadership. Areas of focus under the Leadership 360 initiative are ‘System and School Leadership’, ‘Community Engagement and Partnerships’ and ‘National Development’. Leadership 360 aims to create a well-rounded framework for educational leaders to promote societal betterment through effective educational practices.

Subsequently, the College hosted the inaugural webinar of this initiative under the theme, ‘Decolonising Education: Imperatives for 21st Century Principalship’. The session was led by esteemed Jamaican-Canadian educator and researcher, Dr. Ann E. Lopez of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, drawing more than 300 participants to engage in critical dialogue.

Recognising the importance of stakeholder engagement in education, the ‘Leadership Footprints’ initiative takes a grassroots approach to leadership development. This initiative provides a platform for stakeholders across Jamaica to participate in leadership discourse and strategies that directly impact school improvement. “Leadership should never be limited to a select few; it is vital that all voices are heard, especially those from different geographical backgrounds,” says Mr. Clark.

Finally, the Quality Assurance Connect initiative aims to enhance quality assurance practices within schools. By providing structured capacity-building platforms and networking opportunities, this quarterly initiative empowers educational leaders to implement sustainable QA (Quality Assurance) practices effectively. Focusing on operational efficiency, service excellence and stakeholder engagement, and quality control and quality management, QA Connect addresses the critical need for schools to meet and exceed established educational standards. “Through these innovative initiatives, NCEL is not just preparing educators for the challenges of today but is actively shaping the future of educational leadership in Jamaica,” Mr. Clark says.

“The commitment to fostering an inclusive, accountable, and engaged educational community reflects a pivotal shift towards transformative change, a journey that holds the promise of significantly improved educational outcomes and brighter futures for students across Jamaica,” he adds.

The NCEL was established in 2011 and given the responsibility to develop excellent leadership in the island’s public and independent schools. It leads strategic initiatives to improve leadership, facilitate the provision of support and create local leadership networks in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s regional offices and agencies. NCEL serves the developmental needs of aspiring school leaders, middle leaders and experienced leaders.