The Nature and Use of Mission Statements in Singaporean Schools

Abstract

Ken Stott is Lecturer in Policy and Management Studies at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Allan Walker is Senior Lecturer in Educational Managernent and Policy at Northern Territory University in Australia. In this paper they report on some research which they have undertaken on the nature and function of mission statements in 19 Singaporean schools. From their research three key issues emerged. First, they need to have clear imperatives for planning in terms of content and process. Second, the way in which such statements are drawn up and who is involved in the process of doing so needs to be carefully considered. Finally, mission statements may have a valuable role to play in the management of the external context of schools as well as the internal management of change. This external use warrants thorough consideration.