"The Best" Is the Enemy of "Smart Practice" in Educational Administration in the 21st Century

Abstract: This article does not categorise “The Best” as a negative practice in school administration but rather it hinders the innovation and inculcation of smart practices hence making it an enemy of smart practices in educational administration in the 21st century AI Tech era that involves smart practices. This study is focused on: “the best is the enemy of smart practice in educational administration in the 21st century” for schools’ improvement. The study understudy qualitative and quantitative literatures on the best practices, school smart practices, how “the best” hinders school smart practices, and how school smart practices promote school improvement by school administrators for a comprehensive research output because it is the best that has led us to the AI Tech innovations of the 21st century that is a key component of school smart practices. Research questions were raised in the course of this review to serve as a guide in the review. They are: first, what is “the best” (traditional perfect method of administration) and what are “smart” school practices in educational administration? Secondly, what are smart school practice’s role in aiding administrative duties? Thirdly, how is “the best” an enemy to smart practices technology in educational administration? Findings of the review would enable educational managers and educational administrators to inculcate smart practices in administering schools efficiently and effectively. Keywords: “The Best”, Smart Schools, Smart practices, 21st Century, Educational Administration, Smart Administration. Title: “THE BEST” IS THE ENEMY OF “SMART PRACTICE” IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY Author: GAIUS-OKOKO, U. J., PERETOMODE, V. F. International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies ISSN 2394-9716 Vol. 13, Issue 2, March 2026 - April 2026 Page No: 9-23 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 09-April-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19487588 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/THE%20BEST%20IS%20THE%20ENEMY%20OF%20SMART%20PRACTICE-09042026-5.pdf