EDUCATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

This academic article aims to synthesize knowledge and present a conceptual framework for educational crisis management that is relevant to the 21st century context. The study found that crises differ from other problems in that they are unexpected events that severely impact and necessitate urgent decision-making. Therefore, crisis management is a systematic and continuous strategic process, rather than merely a short-term solution. In today's world, educational institutions face complex and interconnected crises in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous VUCA world, rendering traditional crisis management frameworks insufficient.

This article proposes a crisis management framework that leverages a three-phase cycle: pre-crisis, during-crisis, and post-crisis. It integrates digital dimensions at every stage, from the pre-crisis stage, which emphasizes building digital resilience through cyber risk assessment and infrastructure preparation; during the crisis, which requires rapid information response and digital communication; and post-crisis, which focuses on restoring mental well-being and mitigating learning loss. The success of this entire process depends on key factors: transformative leadership and the creation of a digital citizenship culture. The ultimate goal is not merely to recover, but to learn and evolve from the crisis to create an even stronger organization.