Power and education

The sign of conflict is a sign of power problem that makes educational leaders to avoid the talk of power in educational philosophy.  Nyberg (1981) gives different categorization of power with clear explanations that clears the delusion of educators that power is not inherent in education. 

Accepting the fact that the power is an integral aspect of life in educational organization encourages the leaders to understand and differentiate the various forms of power. By understanding power and its various forms it gets easier for educational leaders to apply it in applicable scenarios. Like “fiction” as a power can be best applied in elementary classes by the teachers. Children love listening to stories and living as one of the character of a story. Understanding the power also makes educational leaders understand the situation they may get trapped in. Like, finance as a power can be an attractive tool in getting the teachers to serve the will of the leader and bonus can motivate them to be with the will of the leader. Hence it results in smooth working of the schools. Also when the power is used by the leaders in best way possible it results in commitment through motivation, inspiration, income, trust, and  etc. In addition, commitment through informed judgment results in stable team work where everyone understand what they are doing and working for a general will which may result in stable workforce.

Of all the forms “force” is most unstable as said by Milton “Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe.” Moreover, in school applying force will result as a threat to democratic values in school even if the intention of the leader is for the benefit of the school. The school needs to make student an ideal democratic citizen who is able to consent and dissent on the basis of educated judgment.

 Getting consent through force will give an image that the idea is not supported by anyone which may give rise to opposing will of the members.

Through fiction as a power we can define a clear plot to govern our objectives.

Like to get a course introduced, the teachers can be persuaded to work on it by comparing the problems and benefits of working on the subjects. Moreover, purposefulness tends to strengthen consent.

Finance is most famous motivational tool as everybody likes to get compensated for their hard work. Like recognition as a reward for their work.

Fealty can be the most stable power but to attain it can be a difficult job as it entails very high level of trust. This power I find can be attained in competitions. Also, when everyone trusts that they are working towards the same will and have tight sense of community such a team has strong commitment.

To sum up, we need to understand the concept of consent in order to understand the power. Consent approach commitments as when members comprehend the purpose of the task, they get committed to the job and value it. In order to get the consent, educational leader can work with fiction, realty, force, and finance as forms of power to bent the will of members to a their own will.

Reference 

Nyberg, D. (1981) Power and education.

Thanks

Ruma