SBM and Strategic Planning: The Trojan Horse of the State - Assignment Example

According to Eacott (2011), the provision that school systems should be devolved in order to enable them to make their own independent decision has been greatly compromised as the author will call it Trojan horse of the state. The reason for this is simply based on fundamental facts, while the state clearly outlines the need to ensure that all the school systems are allowed to be developed on the basis of the unique needs of each school in order to achieve the much-researched goal of effective schools.

The government has compromised and even hindered the progress of this agenda by interfering with the school administration through its definition of what an effective school should look like. Eacott (2011) achieved this by drawing on empirical work undertaken in the NSW public school system and school heads' interviews. The author also argues that the effects of state control have hindered empowerment through autonomy and instead diminish strategic planning initiatives rather than shaping the quality of the Australian schooling system.

As noted, the government focuses on structural reforms mainly by focusing on school-based planning through educational managers or school leaders as a means of interfering with the system. From Eacott's (2011,p.78) research school leaders are greatly angered by the state interference and squeezing them into a tight corner yet calling the school system free and devolved. School systems should be fully devolved; school leaders should not be continually targeted for manipulation by the government.

A true educational enhancement can only be achieved through a real autonomy that is free of government strings that constantly shape the definition of “effective schools”.  Many interest groups have been championing the need for educational devolution; in fact, the existing conflict is mainly between the state and the education stakeholders and leaders. The government struggles to maintain its dominance over our schooling systems ignoring the possible positives of encouraging devolution.