THE USE OF THE PROBLEM TREE METHOD TO FIND AND SOLVE NEGATIVE SITUATIONS IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The problem tree method is specific to the management field and can be used efficiently in any organization. Due to the high degree of detailing the main and secondary causes and effects of a problem, this method can help experts to discover many pertinent solutions to that problem. Based on the theoretical study and case studies, the paper aims to highlight the big potential of this method for educational management in schools and universities.

Firstly, based on a literature review, we have highlighted the advantages and opportunities of using this method in the educational environment. Secondly, we have presented two case studies in which the use of problem tree method could be beneficial.

The first case study is based on a common problem in Romanian gymnasium schools: the fluctuation of teachers. This phenomenon, which has grown in recent years, especially in rural areas, causes the parents' unhappy reliance on the educational system. In the long run, lowering confidence in certain schools affected by staff fluctuations leads to other phenomena that negatively influence the educational process, such as: moving children from one school to another, even in different zones, the unjustified increase in the rating of some schools in cities, and the frequent change of the field of subjects taught by a teacher. So, using the problem tree method, we have highlighted the most important of the causes and effects of teacher fluctuations. Even these causes have their roots in the educational system or in the school management we have proposed a series of solutions to reduce teacher fluctuations or to reduce the impact of this fluctuation in the community.

In the second case study, we have analyzed the low use of educational platforms in Romanian academic environment. Applying the problem tree method, we have found some interesting explanations to causes like the reluctance of some academics to share their teaching materials with more people, the lack of interest of Romanian students in accessing certain online platforms, the low investment in online platform development etc.