Page 11 - Mini-Module 4

Withhold and Control

This strategy occurs when school leaders withhold information as a
means of control.

‘Knowledge is power’ is the implicit value underlying this strategy.
Communication is based on a ‘need to know’ (also known as the CIA
method) basis which can mean, for example, that parents are given
as little information as possible about the ‘secret’ business of
teaching and learning. What information is released may also be
hidden in jargon and edu-speak.

Many professions do this to disempower the general public and
hence preserve the myth or legitimacy of the professional’s position
of authority. Lawyers, IT consultants, academics (believe it or not)
and medical practitioners are renowned for it.
School leaders may also treat their staff in the same way, only
giving certain teachers or certain mid-level leaders selected pieces
of information, and not the ‘whole picture’. Such withholding of
information can be an attempt to enshrine the leader in a position
of importance or power.
This may sound overly sinister, but in fact, many usually open and
effective principals can find themselves in situations where they
may be tempted to withhold information from parents or teachers.
Such information may, for example, be related to information that
will have a negative impact on the image of the school if it is made
publicly available. Similarly, principals may be directed by
Government or by Boards to withhold information in order to
‘control’ a situation.

11