The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a “7 Habits” principle to strengthen the management skills of school executives in the city.

The move was launched by deputy governor Sanon Wangsrangboon at a meeting with executives of BMA’s Education Department on Tuesday.

He said the “7 Habits” principle was based on the bestseller “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. The book was later adapted into a training programme called “The Power of the 7 Habits” by Pacrim Education Ltd.

The programme provides a platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise of directors and executives of educational institutions. The focus is on using them for self-development and improvement of education management.

According to the book, the 7 habits of highly effective people are:
• Being proactive
• Beginning with an end in mind
• Putting first things first
• Thinking win-win
• Seeking first to understand, then to be understood
• Synergizing
• Sharpening the saw

“After I completed the course, my outlook towards the future was never the same. The ‘7 Habits’ training has made me a more efficient person,” Sanon said. “I believe the concept can be used to improve education management and administration of schools in Bangkok by passing on to principals and teachers.”

The training on Tuesday was organised by the BMA’s Education Department and Pacrim Education and led by Suporn Khumwong, deputy director of the Education Department. Attending were 16 Education Department executives, 19 school directors and two education experts.