Masters Degrees (School of Education Management, Policy, and Comparative Education)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (School of Education Management, Policy, and Comparative Education) by Subject "leadership"

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    Investigating the role of school principals on grade 12 learners’ performance in the Eastern Cape
    (University of the Free State, 2022) Mdlalana, Nosipho Succevia; Ntshoe, I.
    This study aimed to investigate the role of school principals in managing the Grade 12 learners’ performance in the six selected schools of Joe Gqabi district - Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape Province (EC). Matric results in the Department of Education have increased by 2,6% between 2016 and 2017. However, by 2017, the Eastern Cape Province’s performance was still rated under 80%. The improvement in the EC can partly be attributed to the intervention programmes implemented by the provincial Department of Education aimed at capacitating principals. These interventions included the temporary appointment of mentors who were former principals in the performing schools. However, the true extent to which these improvements in the results can be attributed to the role of the school principals is unknown. The study was conducted in the Joe Gqabi District - Sterkspruit, in the Eastern Cape, a vast geographical area with scattered schools – some with accessible roads and others without. An interpretive paradigm and a qualitative design with discursive, exploratory, and narrative methods were used in this study, together with purposeful sampling of six schools. Two schools demonstrated good Grade 12 learner performance, the other two demonstrated significant Grade 12 improvement, and the two schools' Grade 12 learner performance showed a steady decline. The two well-performing schools had the same principal over the past five years. The two improved schools had demonstrated improvement only after the appointment of new principals. Lastly, the two poor-performing schools had only declined after the appointment of new principals. The selected schools were diverse in many ways: some in deep rural areas, some near towns with accessible roads, and some in town, which were the former model C schools with Afrikaans as a medium of instruction for some learners. All six schools write the same examinations; therefore, comparisons based on the results were generally credible as they indicated the factors leading to poor performance. The principal from these schools, two teachers, and two learners was identified to participate in this study. The instruments used to collect data were interviews, observations, and document analysis. The study showed that principals understand their roles towards Grade 12 learners’ performance, motivation of Grade 12 teachers and learners is essential, and proper management of school resources and curriculum management implementation is paramount. Recommendations from this study included the professional growth of principals, communication with all the stakeholders within the school, and principals' motivation.
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    Legislative compliance: exploring the relationship between school governing bodies and school management teams
    (University of the Free State, 2023) Malunga, Aaron Beresford Frobisher; Larey, D. P.; Jagessar, V.
    This study explores the views of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and School Management Teams (SMTs) on legislative compliance and how does it contribute towards a relationship between the two. It is stipulated in the South African Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) (DOE, 2011) that all public schools in South Africa must have democratically elected SGBs. The act was intended to enhance collective decision-making in schools, while the Personnel Administrative Measures (RSA DOE 2022) regulates the responsibilities of SMT members. One of the principles of the National Policy on Whole School Evaluation (RSA DOE 2001) is that all evaluation activities must be characterised by openness and collaboration. In addition to a literature review on the relationship between the SGB and SMT, a research study based on the qualitative research paradigm was performed to collect data on SGB and SMT members and their roles in legislative compliance, and how this regulates the relationship between the two. This study used the interpretivist paradigm to understand the meaning that the SGB and SMT members give to their behaviour relating to this research title. The researcher used a multiple case study and the data was generated through semi structured and focus group interviews, and analysed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed the acknowledgement of these two major school role players (SGB and SMT members), and highlighted the important participatory and deliberative role of the SGB and SMT regarding legislative compliance in schools. There are some limitations on the establishment and enhancement of a relationship between the two role players. This study is concluded by the suggestion that it is important for the SGB and SMT to create the space and opportunity for all members to participate and deliberate on their roles and important pieces of legislation that are linked to the SA Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) (DOE, 2011). This should ensure compliance and the basic functionality of the school, which is in the best interest of the school and its children, while strengthening the relationship between the SGB and SMT.