Elementary School Management Strategies According to the Concept of Enhancing Student’s Creative Problem Solving Ability

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to examine conceptual framework, current and desirable states, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and to develop primary school management strategies according to the concept of student competency development in creative problem solving. Mixed methodology was applied by means of documentary study, analysis and synthesis of conceptual framework, collecting data from the sample, making draft strategies, and organizing a focus group discussion. A sample of 397 primary schools under the Office or Basic Education Commission was drawn. Research instruments included a conceptual framework evaluation form, a questionnaire on current and desirable states, a questionnaire on opinion about school management, and an evaluation form on propriety and feasibility of the strategies.  

Research results revealed the followings: (1) the developed conceptual framework of primary school management strategies comprised of 3 major conceptual frameworks, namely, academic management in primary school, creative problem solving competency, and student competency development approach in creative problem solving; (2) the desirable state of primary school management according to the concept of student competency development in creative problem solving based on the analysis of internal environment indicated the highest mean for instruction management and technological situation; (3) the strength of primary school management involved instruction management, while the weaknesses were curriculum development, measurement and evaluation, and development of learning media and sources. External factor as opportunity was economic situation; while threats included government policy, social situation and technological situation; and (4) primary school management strategies contained 4 main strategies and 11 sub-strategies.