FUNDAMENTALS CONCEPT OF PLANNING

A plan may be classified according to time horizon/duration as follows
1. LONG-TERM OR PERSPECTIVE PLAN- extends from 10 to 20 or even 25 years. Educational planning has to be based on a concept of the future. The planners should envision the kind of society; the kind of political, intellectual and social leadership.
2. MEDIUM-TERM PLAN-usually 4-5years, is prepared against the backdrop of a long-term perspective plan. It has proven operationally to be most efficient. It defines the goals and targets with greater clarity and provides a definite basis of action.
3. SHORT TERM PLAN needs to be adopted only as an inevitable alternative to medium-term planning and on an emergency basis. The introduction of "rolling plan´ has eliminated the need for short term plan.
4. SINGLE-PURPOSE PLAN- is an administrative operation, which is usually adopted when particular objectives like implementing a reform measure, building an institution or piloting legislation is to be achieved.
TYPES OF PLANNING ACCORDING TO FUNCTIONS
1. PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC PLANNING
PHYSICAL PLANNING-is the planning of an area's physical structure-land use, communicating, utilities and has its origins in the regulations and control of town development
ECONOMIC PLANNING-is concerned more with economic structure of an area and its overall level of propriety.
2. ALLOCATIVE AND INNOVATIVE PLANNING
ALLOCATIVE PLANNING-is concern with coordination, the resolution of conflicts ensuring that the existing system is ticking over efficiency through time in accordance with involving policies.
I NNOVATIVE PLANNING-is concerned with improving, developing the system as a whole. It is known as DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
3. MULTI AND SINGLE OBJECTIVE PLANNING Whatever is type or form, planning has goals and objectives. GOAL is an ideal and should be expressed in abstract terms;