Building Competency in Education Management

Online, June 9, 2014 (Newswire.com) - In an effort to develop education leadership and management skills, Wawasan Open University (WOU) is expanding its Master of Education programme to include the specialised field of Education Management, commencing from its July 2014 intake.

WOU, through the School of Education, Languages and Communications (SELC), introduced the Master of Education (MEd) programme in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) two years back. Now, working professionals have the added option of pursuing MEd in Education Management via open distance learning (ODL) for a broader perspective into the issues and challenges confronting education, without leaving their jobs.

Maharani Vengadasalam, 43, from Kapar, Selangor, is in the pioneer batch of students who have enrolled for the MEd in Education Management programme in July. "I chose WOU because it's convenient and has a flexible method of learning. I just go in once a month for tutorials, rather having to attend regular lectures. I can study at home," said the mother of a three-year-old girl.

Having worked as a lecturer in a private college in Petaling Jaya for slightly over 10 years, she is ready to move on from lecturing to a leadership position in education. "I registered for this programme as I want to upgrade myself. I hope to become an education manager in a private institution of higher learning. That's my ambition," she added.

As such, Maharani looks forward to using her teaching experience plus the education leadership and management skills she expects to obtain from her MEd in Education Management programme to prepare herself towards achieving her ambition.

The MEd in Education Management is 45-credit programme that can be completed in four semesters, or learners can stretch it according to their pace and schedule. It aims to provide students with knowledge and skills in educational administration and management.

"International evidence shows that a strong and knowledgeable school leadership is required to produce significant improvement in education, especially in student achievement. The Malaysia Education Blueprint takes cognisance of this fact and calls for every school to have a high quality central and supporting leadership team to provide instructional leadership and drive overall school performance," said Prof Santhiram Raman, Dean of SELC.

"This MEd should particularly benefit school principals, deputy heads, senior assistants, heads of units, education administrators in the various District Education Departments, researchers, teachers aspiring to administrative positions in the Ministry of Education, and educators in the private Education and Higher Education sectors. It will be able to complement the efforts of the Ministry to create a pool of potential future school leaders and educational administrators," he stated.

Students will need to take three specialisation courses, namely Education Administration: Theory and Practice; Education Leadership; and Educational Policy and Planning. "The courses look at key dimensions of instructional and administrative leadership, thus providing the necessary knowledge base and best practices associated with leadership. The programme package as a whole will help students to become competent leaders capable of effectively managing education," Prof Santhiram highlighted.

Those interested in pursuing an MEd programme at WOU should possess a minimum Bachelor's degree with Honours, or a Bachelor's degree with two years working experience in education, or equivalent qualifications.

In addition to Master of Education, WOU also offers the following four Master's via ODL - Commonwealth Executive MBA (CeMBA), Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration (CeMPA), MBA in Construction Management, and MBA in Manufacturing & Production Management (MBA-MPM).

Enrolment for the July 2014 ODL intake is ongoing. Come register early and take advantage of the attractive tuition fee rebates offered by WOU.

Call WOU toll-free Careline at 1-300-888-968 (WOU) or browse through wou.edu.my for details on all programmes.