Masitsa, Gilbert2017-09-042017-09-042005Masitsa, G. (2005). Crucial management skills for principals of township secondary schools. Acta Academica, 37(1), 173-201.0587-2405 (print)2415-0479 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/6734English:Principals of secondary schools in townships are experiencing increasing management problems. Research indicates that principals with insufficient or non-existant school management skills may encounter management problems which impede academic success. The effectiveness of a principal’s management is probably the most important factor contributing to improved academic performance. This article set out to identify the management skills required by principals of secondary schools in townships and to establish their impact on academic performance. It found that training principals in the management skills identified as crucial would not only solve their management problems, but also improve the academic performance of their schools. The article also makes recommendations for certain changes in educational practice.Afrikaans: Prinsipale van sekondêre skole in die townships ondervind toenemende bestuursprobleme. Navorsing toon dat ’n gebrek aan skoolbestuursvaardighede onder prinsipale kan lei tot bestuursprobleme wat akademiese sukses kortwiek. Navorsing toon ook dat die doeltreffendheid van prinsipale se bestuursvaardighede heel waarskynlik die belangrikste veranderlike is wat bydra tot akademiese prestasie. Hierdie artikel beoog om die kritiese bestuursvaardighede, wat prinsipale vir sekondêre skole benodig om ’n impak te maak op akademiese prestasies, te identifiseer. Die studie het bevind dat die opleiding van prinsipale wat betref die geïdentifiseeerde bestuursvaardighede, nie net hul bestuursprobleme sal oplos nie, maar ook die betrokke skole se akademiese prestasie sal verbeter. Die artikel doen aanbevelings aan die hand vir veranderings in die opvoedingspraktyk.enPrinicipalsSecondary schoolsTownshipsSchool managementAcademic performanceArticleUniversity of the Free State