Planning and Evaluation
Educ 302
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces teachers’ aspirants to planning for instruction and evaluation
of learners learning with an emphasis on writing measurable and observable learner
objectives. Additional emphasis is placed on creating daily and weekly lesson plans,
unit plans (refer to Key Terms and Definitions), and developing and using appropriate
traditional and performance-based evaluation methods that align with course
objectives and instruction in the early childhood and primary grades learning
environments.
Introduction to Planning
Planning is one of the first and foremost functions of every administrator or manager
which involves vision, mission, goals, targets, etc. It’s the primary function of every
administrator or manager. Planning is an intellectual process that is concerned with
deciding on what is to be done, how it is be done, when is to be done, and who
supposed to do what. Since planning requires vision minded, farsighted and wisdom
administrator or manager; therefore, it is the blueprint of every action and operation.
Robert R Kreitner, “Planning is the process of coping with uncertainty by formulating
future course of action to achieve specified results.
Definition of Planning
Planning is forecasting or projecting an action to be carried out in the future. It is
therefore, a dream of what an individual or a system intends to achieve within a period
of time in the future. Aluko (2004) asserted that planning is an activity by which
administrator or manager analyzes present conditions so as to determine the various
ways of reaching the desire goal. This implies that planning is intended to solve an
identified problem of an individual or system. Undie (2007) explained planning as a
process of determining what is to be done, who to do it, when to do it in order to
achieve the objectives economically. This further reaffirms the fact that planning is
painstaking activity that requires exploring all that are required to achieve the goal sets
by an institution or organization. This includes but limited to calendar of events, class
schedule, etc.
What to be done Who to do it When to do it t
Activities/Events/Programs Person Responsible Time-line/Specify Date
Concept of Educational Planning
Since planning is indispensible tool for recording the course of executing any viable
program or activity, it is necessary to define planning as it relates to the field of
1
,education. This is referred to as educational planning. Educational planning is simply
viewed as the holistic approach to mapping out all the process and procedure
necessary for ensuring a successfully educational system at all level in a school sitting
or nation. Educational planning can also be viewed as the step-by-step or the process
of preparing a set of decisions about education and how it will be sufficiently realized
with available resources (Horeegreen blogspot.com)
Another viewed of educational planning as it involves the process of curriculum
planning and development, school location and plant planning, manpower planning
and development. In the same vein, planning involve the process of identifying
educational needs, the direction which education should take and how to implement
the decision taken, this implies that planning for implementation of the decision taken
is the final stage in educational planning (National Open University of Nigeria, 2006).
Similarly, UNESCO (2003) describes planning as a process that makes it possible to
work out a systematic outline of activities to be undertaken in order to meet the
developmental objectives of a country within that country’s possibilities and
aspirations. These definitions depict that planning is both futuristic and goal-oriented.
It is intelligent preparation for actions that will lead to the achievement of
predetermined goals and objectives (Akpan, 2000). It involves a conscious, careful and
systematic process of arranging a future course of action directed at goal
accomplishment. Planning therefore, provides the direction in relation to objectives,
activities, procedures, strategies, and cost implications, sources of fund,
responsibilities and duration or time frame for attainment of set objectives. It spells
out what is to be done, who to do it, when it should be done and how it should be done
in order to reach set target.
Importance of Educational Planning
Education is a vast and crucial sector of the economy; it should be adequately and
precisely planned to accommodate all levels of education. Besides, educational
planning ensures that the changing needs of the society are accommodated in the
course of service delivery at all education levels. In Liberia, education seeks to provide
equal access to quality education for all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, color,
creed, gender, special needs, religious, or political affiliation. The Liberian educational
system believes that education should also provide a caring, nurturing, safe, and
secured learning environment; prepare its people to become productive contributors to
nation building through work force development; and provide the health and well-being
of its people to be technologically literate and life-long learner.
Comb cited in (Akpan, 2000) described educational planning as the
application of
rational systematic analysis to the process of educational development with
the aim of making education more effective and efficient in responding to the
needs and goals of the learners and the society. This means that educational
planning should take into account the needs of the pupils/students in terms
of learning facilities and equipment, textbooks, classroom spaces and
2
,qualified educational personnel. In meeting the needs of the society,
educational planning should take cognizance of the manpower, cultural,
social and communication needs of the society (nation) as well as the economic
changes (Akpan, 2000).
In other word, education is very vital in every human existence and societal
development. It facilitates the rate of development and improves the standard of living
of the people. A well educated person acquires knowledge for critical thinking and can
use the knowledge and skills acquired through education to create wealth especially
now that we are living in a knowledge driven-economy.
Scope Educational Planning
Planning for education is a process that is carried out at the national, regional (State),
local, and at institutional level. At regional level, educational planning may be seen as a
macro process. Scope education is seen globally in the context of a national need
based established philosophy of education for the country. It is a general educational
plan to be implemented in the country. There are types of planning for education such
as macro planning, micro planning, fixed-term planning, operational, strategic planning
and rolling term planning.
a. Macro-level planning
This is planning at the national and state levels. It is aimed at achieving national
success and high productivity in education. It is also aimed at ensuring that the
quantity and quality of resource inputs produce high outputs at minimum cost. The
components of macrolevel planning include policy formulation, financing of education,
integration of education into the national development plan, education reform, teacher
education and administrative strategies for implementation of the plan. It requires a
detailed budgetary plan. Macro planning takes into account national perspective of
education.
For instance, UNESCO set a benchmark percentage funding for the education sector in
national budgets at 26 percent. On the contrary, the government of Liberia expenditure
on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of total
general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social
services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources
to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central
governments.
Liberia education spending for 2022 was 11.19%, a 4.32% increase from 2021.
Liberia education spending for 2021 was 6.87%, a 6.85% decline from 2020.
Liberia education spending for 2020 was 13.71%, a 0.01% decline from 2019.
Liberia education spending for 2019 was 13.72%, a 5.57% increase from 2018.
b. Micro-level Educational Planning
In other countries like Nigeria, it is the federal government and state level that do the
macro educational planning but for Liberia, it is only the central government. Then the
3
, Micro level planning is carried out by relevant educational institutions for the effective
implementation of educational programmes to achieve the educational objective of
the school. Currently, the Ministry of Education and the institutions (secondary school)
carried out the micro-level planning.
This is done by drawing-up programmes of activities and how to manage personnel,
facilities, teaching and learning, school community relation, extra-curricular activities
and so on. Read the Approved Calendar of Event from MOE 2023/2024.
Okwori (2011) states that micro-planning deals with the problems linked to access the
educational system, acquisition and maintenance of teaching facilities and equipment,
attitude of parents, pupils and teachers to education. Other areas of concern in micro-
planning include planning for recreational services, health and safety, guidance and
counseling services, organization of school programmes and curriculum
implementation. It also deals with school mapping. Generally, educational planning at
the micro-level deals with the problems of education at the institutional level.
c. Fixed-term planning
It is national development plan that educational planning evolves as a catalyst to the
effective implementation of the nation’s development initiative. Fixed term planning
emerges from the national development plan, with special emphasis on certain areas
of concern for the nation. Read Liberia Education Sector Plan.
d. Operational Planning
This is another aspect of micro planning at the institutional level where the school
administrator plans the operational activities of the school. For example, planning the
school teaching time-table, course allocation, periods for games, students’ week,
setting up various school committees, etc. for the smooth running of the institution for
the attainment of the institutional goals.
e. Strategic Planning
This is educational planning that is targeted at accomplishing certain number of
institutional projects and innovations. This would involve defining policies and
procedures for prompt implementation to meet the deadlines set for such projects or
programmes.
f. Rolling-term Planning
Rolling term planning is defined as a plan that runs for specific period and is updated
regularly for the same period (Google.com). This may be carried out by central
government, local government, and institutional levels. It is simply deciding on what to
achieve within a given fiscal year. Example, USAID through the government of Liberia
has planned to train 3500 teachers within five years. A school has 50 students in
4
Educ 302
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces teachers’ aspirants to planning for instruction and evaluation
of learners learning with an emphasis on writing measurable and observable learner
objectives. Additional emphasis is placed on creating daily and weekly lesson plans,
unit plans (refer to Key Terms and Definitions), and developing and using appropriate
traditional and performance-based evaluation methods that align with course
objectives and instruction in the early childhood and primary grades learning
environments.
Introduction to Planning
Planning is one of the first and foremost functions of every administrator or manager
which involves vision, mission, goals, targets, etc. It’s the primary function of every
administrator or manager. Planning is an intellectual process that is concerned with
deciding on what is to be done, how it is be done, when is to be done, and who
supposed to do what. Since planning requires vision minded, farsighted and wisdom
administrator or manager; therefore, it is the blueprint of every action and operation.
Robert R Kreitner, “Planning is the process of coping with uncertainty by formulating
future course of action to achieve specified results.
Definition of Planning
Planning is forecasting or projecting an action to be carried out in the future. It is
therefore, a dream of what an individual or a system intends to achieve within a period
of time in the future. Aluko (2004) asserted that planning is an activity by which
administrator or manager analyzes present conditions so as to determine the various
ways of reaching the desire goal. This implies that planning is intended to solve an
identified problem of an individual or system. Undie (2007) explained planning as a
process of determining what is to be done, who to do it, when to do it in order to
achieve the objectives economically. This further reaffirms the fact that planning is
painstaking activity that requires exploring all that are required to achieve the goal sets
by an institution or organization. This includes but limited to calendar of events, class
schedule, etc.
What to be done Who to do it When to do it t
Activities/Events/Programs Person Responsible Time-line/Specify Date
Concept of Educational Planning
Since planning is indispensible tool for recording the course of executing any viable
program or activity, it is necessary to define planning as it relates to the field of
1
,education. This is referred to as educational planning. Educational planning is simply
viewed as the holistic approach to mapping out all the process and procedure
necessary for ensuring a successfully educational system at all level in a school sitting
or nation. Educational planning can also be viewed as the step-by-step or the process
of preparing a set of decisions about education and how it will be sufficiently realized
with available resources (Horeegreen blogspot.com)
Another viewed of educational planning as it involves the process of curriculum
planning and development, school location and plant planning, manpower planning
and development. In the same vein, planning involve the process of identifying
educational needs, the direction which education should take and how to implement
the decision taken, this implies that planning for implementation of the decision taken
is the final stage in educational planning (National Open University of Nigeria, 2006).
Similarly, UNESCO (2003) describes planning as a process that makes it possible to
work out a systematic outline of activities to be undertaken in order to meet the
developmental objectives of a country within that country’s possibilities and
aspirations. These definitions depict that planning is both futuristic and goal-oriented.
It is intelligent preparation for actions that will lead to the achievement of
predetermined goals and objectives (Akpan, 2000). It involves a conscious, careful and
systematic process of arranging a future course of action directed at goal
accomplishment. Planning therefore, provides the direction in relation to objectives,
activities, procedures, strategies, and cost implications, sources of fund,
responsibilities and duration or time frame for attainment of set objectives. It spells
out what is to be done, who to do it, when it should be done and how it should be done
in order to reach set target.
Importance of Educational Planning
Education is a vast and crucial sector of the economy; it should be adequately and
precisely planned to accommodate all levels of education. Besides, educational
planning ensures that the changing needs of the society are accommodated in the
course of service delivery at all education levels. In Liberia, education seeks to provide
equal access to quality education for all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, color,
creed, gender, special needs, religious, or political affiliation. The Liberian educational
system believes that education should also provide a caring, nurturing, safe, and
secured learning environment; prepare its people to become productive contributors to
nation building through work force development; and provide the health and well-being
of its people to be technologically literate and life-long learner.
Comb cited in (Akpan, 2000) described educational planning as the
application of
rational systematic analysis to the process of educational development with
the aim of making education more effective and efficient in responding to the
needs and goals of the learners and the society. This means that educational
planning should take into account the needs of the pupils/students in terms
of learning facilities and equipment, textbooks, classroom spaces and
2
,qualified educational personnel. In meeting the needs of the society,
educational planning should take cognizance of the manpower, cultural,
social and communication needs of the society (nation) as well as the economic
changes (Akpan, 2000).
In other word, education is very vital in every human existence and societal
development. It facilitates the rate of development and improves the standard of living
of the people. A well educated person acquires knowledge for critical thinking and can
use the knowledge and skills acquired through education to create wealth especially
now that we are living in a knowledge driven-economy.
Scope Educational Planning
Planning for education is a process that is carried out at the national, regional (State),
local, and at institutional level. At regional level, educational planning may be seen as a
macro process. Scope education is seen globally in the context of a national need
based established philosophy of education for the country. It is a general educational
plan to be implemented in the country. There are types of planning for education such
as macro planning, micro planning, fixed-term planning, operational, strategic planning
and rolling term planning.
a. Macro-level planning
This is planning at the national and state levels. It is aimed at achieving national
success and high productivity in education. It is also aimed at ensuring that the
quantity and quality of resource inputs produce high outputs at minimum cost. The
components of macrolevel planning include policy formulation, financing of education,
integration of education into the national development plan, education reform, teacher
education and administrative strategies for implementation of the plan. It requires a
detailed budgetary plan. Macro planning takes into account national perspective of
education.
For instance, UNESCO set a benchmark percentage funding for the education sector in
national budgets at 26 percent. On the contrary, the government of Liberia expenditure
on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of total
general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social
services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources
to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central
governments.
Liberia education spending for 2022 was 11.19%, a 4.32% increase from 2021.
Liberia education spending for 2021 was 6.87%, a 6.85% decline from 2020.
Liberia education spending for 2020 was 13.71%, a 0.01% decline from 2019.
Liberia education spending for 2019 was 13.72%, a 5.57% increase from 2018.
b. Micro-level Educational Planning
In other countries like Nigeria, it is the federal government and state level that do the
macro educational planning but for Liberia, it is only the central government. Then the
3
, Micro level planning is carried out by relevant educational institutions for the effective
implementation of educational programmes to achieve the educational objective of
the school. Currently, the Ministry of Education and the institutions (secondary school)
carried out the micro-level planning.
This is done by drawing-up programmes of activities and how to manage personnel,
facilities, teaching and learning, school community relation, extra-curricular activities
and so on. Read the Approved Calendar of Event from MOE 2023/2024.
Okwori (2011) states that micro-planning deals with the problems linked to access the
educational system, acquisition and maintenance of teaching facilities and equipment,
attitude of parents, pupils and teachers to education. Other areas of concern in micro-
planning include planning for recreational services, health and safety, guidance and
counseling services, organization of school programmes and curriculum
implementation. It also deals with school mapping. Generally, educational planning at
the micro-level deals with the problems of education at the institutional level.
c. Fixed-term planning
It is national development plan that educational planning evolves as a catalyst to the
effective implementation of the nation’s development initiative. Fixed term planning
emerges from the national development plan, with special emphasis on certain areas
of concern for the nation. Read Liberia Education Sector Plan.
d. Operational Planning
This is another aspect of micro planning at the institutional level where the school
administrator plans the operational activities of the school. For example, planning the
school teaching time-table, course allocation, periods for games, students’ week,
setting up various school committees, etc. for the smooth running of the institution for
the attainment of the institutional goals.
e. Strategic Planning
This is educational planning that is targeted at accomplishing certain number of
institutional projects and innovations. This would involve defining policies and
procedures for prompt implementation to meet the deadlines set for such projects or
programmes.
f. Rolling-term Planning
Rolling term planning is defined as a plan that runs for specific period and is updated
regularly for the same period (Google.com). This may be carried out by central
government, local government, and institutional levels. It is simply deciding on what to
achieve within a given fiscal year. Example, USAID through the government of Liberia
has planned to train 3500 teachers within five years. A school has 50 students in
4
