Masitsa, GilbertVan Staden, JohannDe Wet, CoreneNiemann, RitaHeyns, MichauBrazelle, RobbieNiemann, Steve2017-09-052017-09-052004Masitsa, G., Van Staden, J., De Wet, C., Niemann, R., Heyns, M., Brazelle, R., & Niemann, S. (2004). Management problems at underachieving township secondary schools in the Free State. Acta Academica, 36(2), 221-250.0587-2405 (print)2415-0479 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/6778English: Principals of secondary schools in townships are experiencing increasing management problems. The situation is exacerbated by the rapid changes taking place in education and the promotion of inexperienced teachers to the position of principal. This article attempts to identify the management problems experienced by principals of township secondary schools which obtained a pass rate of 40% or less for more than three years prior to 2002. The study found that these principals experience innumerable problems which have a negative influence on academic achievement and which must be resolved.Afrikaans: Hoofde van sekondêre skole in stadsgebiede ervaar toenemend bestuursprobleme. Die situasie word vererger deur vinnige veranderings in die onderwys en die bevordering van onervare onderwysers tot skoolhoofde. Hierdie artikel poog om die bestuursprobleme van hoofde in die stadsgebiede te identifiseer. Die skoolbestuursprobleme van hoofde verbonde aan skole wat ’n slaagsyfer van 40% of laer voor 2002 behaal het, is ondersoek. Die studie het bevind dat hierdie hoofde tallose probleme ervaar wat besweer moet word weens die negatiewe effek wat dit op akademiese prestasie het.enTownship secondary schoolsSchool managementPrincipalsAcademic achievementSchool management problemsInexperienced teachersArticleUniversity of the Free State