In this study, the researcher aimed to investigate and explore the instructional leadership role of the high school head in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL), with specific reference to high schools in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. In an attempt to realise that end, a qualitative approach drawing from ethnographic studies was used to collect data. Therefore, the research instruments included qualitative observations, individual and focus group interviews and document analysis. The participants included five high school heads, ten heads of departments (HODs), ten assistant teachers, and twenty five parents. These were drawn from the five high schools selected for the study. The main findings of the study are that a model for effective instructional leadership aimed at creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) consists of long-term and short-term dimensions. The long-term instructional leadership dimension comprises: visioning, communication of the school vision, value management, professional development of staff, and empowerment. The short-term instructional leadership dimension comprises of characteristics of the instructional leader, characteristics of the followers and characteristics of the situation. Characteristics of the instructional leader include his or her perception of stakeholders, task or people orientation, personality, knowledge and experience, value system and trust in followers. Characteristics of the followers include their readiness to take responsibility, motivation to excel, knowledge and experience. Characteristics of the situation include the school climate and culture, relationships among members of the school community, structuring of tasks, availability of human and material resources, and the use of incentives. The effective application of the instructional leadership model for effective practice by the high school head as the instructional leader in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) takes into account both the long-term and short-term dimensions of effective instructional leadership in order to achieve meaningful educational change. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The world today is continuously influenced by ever-changing technological developments introducing new knowledge and applications into society’s culture, and social, political, and educational environments (Angeli & Valanides, 2009:154). Consequently, the educational environment as a branch of human knowledge needs to be redesigned in order to keep pace with current technological developments. Technological integration in education is inevitable and teachers are faced with the challenge of being competent ICT users. Internationally, there is growing consensus that the integration of ICT in education increases 21st-century learners’ skills (Blignaut, Hinostroza, Els & Brun 2010:89). Technology offers learners a better understanding of concepts with the use of visual interactions that enable them to store it in their long-term memories. For most teachers this is an obstacle, because the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) was not included as part of their teacher training programmes (Tropakci, n.d.:1; Afshari, Bakar, Luan, Samah & Fooi, 2009:89). By obvious implication, 21st-century learners require teachers who are knowledgeable and possess technological skills so that they can facilitate technology-integrated lessons. This study investigated secondary-school teachers’ Information Communication Technology competencies in classroom practices within Bojanala District, North West Province, South Africa in order to suggest a strategy that could assist teachers in effectively integrating ICTs in teaching and learning. As a former Computer Application Technology (CAT) teacher, I was prompted to conduct this study by my involvement, experiences and observations of using ICT in teaching and learning. The picture of teachers’ ICT competencies in the Bojanala District where the fieldwork was conducted indicates that of the 134 secondary schools in the district only 25 have integrated ICTs into their teaching and learning. Furthermore, some secondary schools in the district have computer laboratories that are not being utilised. This indicates that the participating teachers were not competent ICT users, with no strategy that could be implemented to assist them in effectively integrating ICTs in their classroom practices. Despite the introduction of the South African policy on e-Education in the education system, little has been done in terms of its implementation. According to this policy, every learner in the General Education Training (GET) and Further Education Training bands (FET) should have been technologically savvy by 2013 (DoE, 2004:17). The research question guiding this study was: What are secondary school teachers’ ICT competency skills in classroom practices? The study was grounded in the interpretive epistemological paradigm. I employed a qualitative research method and the research design comprised collective or multiple case studies. Four secondary schools were selected on the basis of their proximity to my residence. Eight secondary-school teachers were invited to participate in this study. These teachers were purposively sampled on the basis of their expertise in the use of ICTs in teaching and learning. The data collection strategies were semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis. Data analysis was done according to the four key steps of the data analysis process suggested by Anderson (209:156,157), while the procedure of analysing data which was adapted from Creswell (2007:214). Ethical consideration was maintained by not disclosing participants’ personal information. To ensure trustworthiness in this study, four issues were established, namely credibility, transferability, dependability and transferability. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Cette recherche porte sur le renforcement des sentiments de compétence professionnelle et d’auto-efficacité des enseignants du secondaire envers les habiletés techniques dans la formation aux TIC. Elle fait suite à un projet d’intégration pédagogique des TIC au lycée initié par le Campus numérique de Niamey. Après une formation des enseignants de lycée participant au projet d’alphabétisation informatique, notre étude est venue par la suite pour apprécier l’impact de cette formation aux TIC, via le CNF, sur le processus d’adoption de ces technologies par les enseignants. Les objectifs de la recherche sont les suivants : 1) évaluer l’impact de la formation aux TIC des enseignants du secondaire sur le processus d’adoption de ces technologies ; 2) décrire et analyser le cheminement parcouru par les enseignants ayant atteint un niveau élevé d’adoption des TIC ; 3) mieux comprendre l’impact de la formation aux TIC sur le sentiment de compétence professionnelle des enseignants (sentiments de compétence personnelle et générale) ; 4) Valider le Computer Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE) en français ; 5) Comprendre l’impact de la formation aux TIC sur le sentiment d’auto-efficacité à l’égard de l’utilisation de l’ordinateur des enseignants. Une enquête par questionnaires auprès de 69 enseignants représentant l’ensemble des enseignants de trois lycées de Niamey, et par des entrevues semi-dirigées auprès de six enseignants a permis de réaliser les objectifs de recherche. La thèse se fonde sur un mode de présentation par articles. Chaque article est en lien avec un ou deux objectifs de la recherche, suivant l’ordre précité. Les résultats révèlent une absence de relation entre la formation aux TIC des enseignants dispensée par le Campus numérique et les niveaux de l’innovation technologique en milieu scolaire de la typologie de Hall et Hord (1987). Les disparités dans les utilisations que font les enseignants des TIC témoignent de ce manque d’association. Par ailleurs, il apparaît que l’adoption des TIC dans l’éducation est embryonnaire au Niger. Cela fait que seuls quelques-uns de nos participants ont atteint les niveaux de sensibilisation et d’utilisation professionnelle constituant les deux premiers stades de l’usage pédagogique de la typologie de Raby (2005) qui en compte quatre. À la lumière des résultats, le sentiment de compétence personnelle est différent dans les deux groupes (enseignants formés et non formés), mais celui de compétence générale est apprécié de la même façon. Entre les enseignants formés aux TIC par les soins du campus numérique de Niamey et les autres, les résultats montrent une différence significative dans les niveaux d’habiletés techniques à l’égard de l’usage de l’ordinateur. Les forces et les limites de la recherche sont analysées et différentes recommandations sont proposées aux responsables éducatifs. / This study examines the development among high school teachers of feelings of professional competence and self-efficacy toward technical skills through ICT training. It follows a project to pedagogically integrate ICT into a lycée initiated by the Campus numérique de Niamey (Niamey digital campus). After lycée teachers participating in a computer literacy project were trained in ICT, we undertook a follow-up study to appraise the impact of this ICT training, via the Niamey digital campus, on teacher adoption of the technologies. The research objectives were the following: 1) assess the impact of ICT training provided to high school teachers on the adoption process for these technologies; 2) describe and analyze the learning paths of the teachers who experienced a positive ICT adoption process ; 3) better understand the impact of ICT training on feelings of professional competence in teachers (self-confidence and overall confidence); 4) validate the Computer Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE) in French; 5) understand the impact of ICT training on teachers’ feelings of self-efficacy in computer use. To achieve these objectives, a survey questionnaire was administered to 69 teachers from three lycées in Niamey and semi-directed interviews were conducted with six teachers. The thesis is presented in the form of a series of articles, each one addressing one or two of the research objectives in the above-presented order. The results reveal no relationship between the teachers’ ICT training via the digital campus and their level of technological innovation at school, according to the typology proposed by Hall and Hord (1987). ICT usage disparities among the teachers testify to this lack of association. Moreover, it appears that the ICT adoption process in education is barely nascent in Niger. Indeed, only a few participants attained the levels of awareness and professional use, the first two of the four stages in Raby’s (2005) typology of professional use. The results show that feelings of personal competence differ between the two groups (trained and untrained teachers), although their feelings of overall competence were similar. The results also show a significant difference in technical skill levels in terms of computer use between teachers who did and did not receive ICT training via the Niamey digital campus. The research strengths and limitations are analyzed and some recommendations are proposed to educational authorities.

[pt] O presente trabalho tem como objetivo investigar a produção escrita de alunos de ensino médio de uma escola pública da rede estadual do Rio de Janeiro, buscando observar as dificuldades em lidar com a modalidade escrita da língua, considerando que, muitas vezes, isso pode trazer consequências para a vida do indivíduo, dentro e fora do ambiente escolar. Na escola, a dificuldade com a escrita pode acarretar falta de interesse ou motivação, ao passo que, uma vez fora da escola, o indivíduo que tenha dificuldades em se envolver em práticas sociais de leitura e escrita pode ter menos chances de mobilidade social, além de ficar à margem da sociedade de um modo geral (Rojo, 2010, Soares, 1998). Observando a funcionalidade da linguagem e questões sociais e contextuais relativas ao seu uso (Halliday, 1994; Martin, 2001), esta pesquisa propõe as seguintes questões: 1) Que avaliações os alunos concluintes do ensino médio fazem acerca da escola, incluindo os sujeitos que ali agem, reagem e interagem? 2) De que maneira essa escola desempenha o seu papel como agência de letramento escolar? 3) Que relações podem ser levantadas entre escola e inclusão e exclusão social? O conjunto de dados gerados para este estudo consiste em redações escritas em sala de aula (N=30) por alunos do terceiro ano do Ensino Médio, de uma escola na zona oeste do Rio de Janeiro e respostas a um questionário online (N=11), enviado aos alunos após sua saída da escola, via rede social. Dados estatísticos acerca do desempenho de alunos brasileiros em avaliações de percurso, tais como PISA, SAEB e, sobretudo, matrizes de avaliação do ENEM, foram utilizados para examinar e classificar os dados. O sistema da avaliatividade e pressupostos sistêmico-funcionais possibilitaram a análise das avaliações que os alunos fazem da escola como comunidade, incluindo eles mesmos, e a investigação do grau de letramento escolar que apresentam em sua produção escrita. As respostas ao questionário forneceram informações acerca das atividades educacionais e/ou profissionais dos alunos depois de concluído o ensino médio, possibilitando a discussão de eventuais relações entre letramento escolar e a inclusão social. Os resultados da análise indicam que os alunos fazem uma avaliação da escola que oscila, muitas vezes, entre o positivo e o negativo, sobretudo quando se trata de Afeto, e que a instituição é personificada e valorizada pelo seu papel social sobre o educacional. Os demais membros da comunidade escolar, como professores e colegas, também são avaliados afetivamente. Quando as marcas linguísticas nos mostram Julgamento ou Apreciação, no entanto, a avaliação aponta para um posicionamento mais negativo do aluno em relação à escola. Os textos escritos dos alunos mostram ainda que estes apresentam um grau bastante incipiente de letramento escolar, mesmo após onze anos, em média, dedicados à conclusão da educação básica. Esses resultados levam à discussão sobre as interferências que as deficiências de letramento podem ter na vida dos indivíduos, que, como os alunos observados, podem enfrentar dificuldades para ingressar em instituições públicas de ensino superior e para obter colocações mais satisfatórias no mercado de trabalho. / [en] The present study aims at investigating the written production of students at a public state school in Rio de Janeiro, in order to observe the difficulties in dealing with the written language modality, considering that these difficulties can frequently bring consequences to their lives, inside and outside the school context. At school, these difficulties can cause lack of interest or motivation, whereas out of school someone who has difficulty at engaging in social practices of reading and writing (Rojo, 2010; Soares, 1998) can have fewer chances of social mobility and be led into living on the edge of society. Considering the functionality of language as well as social and contextual issues related to its use (Halliday, 1994; Martin, 2001), this research proposes the following questions: 1) What evaluation do the graduating secondary school students make upon the school, including the individuals who act, react and interact there? 2) How does this school play its role as agency of school literacy? 3) What connections can be raised between school and social inclusion and exclusion? The set of data analyzed in this study consists of essays written by secondary students in their classroom (N = 30),and answers to an online questionnaire (N=11) sent to students after they have left school, via a social media. Statistical data about the performance of Brazilian students in national and international examinations, such as PISA, SAEB and especially ENEM, were used to examine and classify data. The Appraisal system and systemic-functional perspectives supported both the analysis of the evaluation that students make of the school as a community, including themselves, and the investigation of the degree of literacy that they present in their written production. Answers to the questionnaire provided information about the educational and/or professional activities of the students after their conclusion of secondary school, adding material for the discussion of possible relations between school literacy and social inclusion. Results of the analysis indicate that students make an evaluation of the school that often varies between positive and negative, especially when related to Affection, and that the institution is personalized and valued by its social role over the educational one. Other members of the school community, such as teachers and peers, are also affectively evaluated. However, when linguistic evidences show Judgement or Appreciation, the evaluation points to a more negative positioning of students in relation to school, especially as an agency of literacy. Students texts also show that they present a very incipient degree of literacy, even after having spent nearly eleven years at school. These results lead into a discussion about the interference that literacy deficiencies can have on people s lives, such as the students who participate in this research, who can face difficulties to enter public universities and to have better jobs or careers.

The world today is continuously influenced by ever-changing technological developments introducing new knowledge and applications into society’s culture, and social, political, and educational environments (Angeli & Valanides, 2009:154). Consequently, the educational environment as a branch of human knowledge needs to be redesigned in order to keep pace with current technological developments. Technological integration in education is inevitable and teachers are faced with the challenge of being competent ICT users. Internationally, there is growing consensus that the integration of ICT in education increases 21st-century learners’ skills (Blignaut, Hinostroza, Els & Brun 2010:89). Technology offers learners a better understanding of concepts with the use of visual interactions that enable them to store it in their long-term memories. For most teachers this is an obstacle, because the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) was not included as part of their teacher training programmes (Tropakci, n.d.:1; Afshari, Bakar, Luan, Samah & Fooi, 2009:89). By obvious implication, 21st-century learners require teachers who are knowledgeable and possess technological skills so that they can facilitate technology-integrated lessons. This study investigated secondary-school teachers’ Information Communication Technology competencies in classroom practices within Bojanala District, North West Province, South Africa in order to suggest a strategy that could assist teachers in effectively integrating ICTs in teaching and learning. As a former Computer Application Technology (CAT) teacher, I was prompted to conduct this study by my involvement, experiences and observations of using ICT in teaching and learning. The picture of teachers’ ICT competencies in the Bojanala District where the fieldwork was conducted indicates that of the 134 secondary schools in the district only 25 have integrated ICTs into their teaching and learning. Furthermore, some secondary schools in the district have computer laboratories that are not being utilised. This indicates that the participating teachers were not competent ICT users, with no strategy that could be implemented to assist them in effectively integrating ICTs in their classroom practices. Despite the introduction of the South African policy on e-Education in the education system, little has been done in terms of its implementation. According to this policy, every learner in the General Education Training (GET) and Further Education Training bands (FET) should have been technologically savvy by 2013 (DoE, 2004:17). The research question guiding this study was: What are secondary school teachers’ ICT competency skills in classroom practices? The study was grounded in the interpretive epistemological paradigm. I employed a qualitative research method and the research design comprised collective or multiple case studies. Four secondary schools were selected on the basis of their proximity to my residence. Eight secondary-school teachers were invited to participate in this study. These teachers were purposively sampled on the basis of their expertise in the use of ICTs in teaching and learning. The data collection strategies were semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis. Data analysis was done according to the four key steps of the data analysis process suggested by Anderson (209:156,157), while the procedure of analysing data which was adapted from Creswell (2007:214). Ethical consideration was maintained by not disclosing participants’ personal information. To ensure trustworthiness in this study, four issues were established, namely credibility, transferability, dependability and transferability. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Cette recherche porte sur le renforcement des sentiments de compétence professionnelle et d’auto-efficacité des enseignants du secondaire envers les habiletés techniques dans la formation aux TIC. Elle fait suite à un projet d’intégration pédagogique des TIC au lycée initié par le Campus numérique de Niamey. Après une formation des enseignants de lycée participant au projet d’alphabétisation informatique, notre étude est venue par la suite pour apprécier l’impact de cette formation aux TIC, via le CNF, sur le processus d’adoption de ces technologies par les enseignants. Les objectifs de la recherche sont les suivants : 1) évaluer l’impact de la formation aux TIC des enseignants du secondaire sur le processus d’adoption de ces technologies ; 2) décrire et analyser le cheminement parcouru par les enseignants ayant atteint un niveau élevé d’adoption des TIC ; 3) mieux comprendre l’impact de la formation aux TIC sur le sentiment de compétence professionnelle des enseignants (sentiments de compétence personnelle et générale) ; 4) Valider le Computer Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE) en français ; 5) Comprendre l’impact de la formation aux TIC sur le sentiment d’auto-efficacité à l’égard de l’utilisation de l’ordinateur des enseignants. Une enquête par questionnaires auprès de 69 enseignants représentant l’ensemble des enseignants de trois lycées de Niamey, et par des entrevues semi-dirigées auprès de six enseignants a permis de réaliser les objectifs de recherche. La thèse se fonde sur un mode de présentation par articles. Chaque article est en lien avec un ou deux objectifs de la recherche, suivant l’ordre précité. Les résultats révèlent une absence de relation entre la formation aux TIC des enseignants dispensée par le Campus numérique et les niveaux de l’innovation technologique en milieu scolaire de la typologie de Hall et Hord (1987). Les disparités dans les utilisations que font les enseignants des TIC témoignent de ce manque d’association. Par ailleurs, il apparaît que l’adoption des TIC dans l’éducation est embryonnaire au Niger. Cela fait que seuls quelques-uns de nos participants ont atteint les niveaux de sensibilisation et d’utilisation professionnelle constituant les deux premiers stades de l’usage pédagogique de la typologie de Raby (2005) qui en compte quatre. À la lumière des résultats, le sentiment de compétence personnelle est différent dans les deux groupes (enseignants formés et non formés), mais celui de compétence générale est apprécié de la même façon. Entre les enseignants formés aux TIC par les soins du campus numérique de Niamey et les autres, les résultats montrent une différence significative dans les niveaux d’habiletés techniques à l’égard de l’usage de l’ordinateur. Les forces et les limites de la recherche sont analysées et différentes recommandations sont proposées aux responsables éducatifs. / This study examines the development among high school teachers of feelings of professional competence and self-efficacy toward technical skills through ICT training. It follows a project to pedagogically integrate ICT into a lycée initiated by the Campus numérique de Niamey (Niamey digital campus). After lycée teachers participating in a computer literacy project were trained in ICT, we undertook a follow-up study to appraise the impact of this ICT training, via the Niamey digital campus, on teacher adoption of the technologies. The research objectives were the following: 1) assess the impact of ICT training provided to high school teachers on the adoption process for these technologies; 2) describe and analyze the learning paths of the teachers who experienced a positive ICT adoption process ; 3) better understand the impact of ICT training on feelings of professional competence in teachers (self-confidence and overall confidence); 4) validate the Computer Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE) in French; 5) understand the impact of ICT training on teachers’ feelings of self-efficacy in computer use. To achieve these objectives, a survey questionnaire was administered to 69 teachers from three lycées in Niamey and semi-directed interviews were conducted with six teachers. The thesis is presented in the form of a series of articles, each one addressing one or two of the research objectives in the above-presented order. The results reveal no relationship between the teachers’ ICT training via the digital campus and their level of technological innovation at school, according to the typology proposed by Hall and Hord (1987). ICT usage disparities among the teachers testify to this lack of association. Moreover, it appears that the ICT adoption process in education is barely nascent in Niger. Indeed, only a few participants attained the levels of awareness and professional use, the first two of the four stages in Raby’s (2005) typology of professional use. The results show that feelings of personal competence differ between the two groups (trained and untrained teachers), although their feelings of overall competence were similar. The results also show a significant difference in technical skill levels in terms of computer use between teachers who did and did not receive ICT training via the Niamey digital campus. The research strengths and limitations are analyzed and some recommendations are proposed to educational authorities.

Evaluation of intervention programmes is essential to adduce evidential information on their implementation, delivery and effectiveness. Evaluation of programmes is conducted for various reasons: to identify provision of programme services and ways to improve the programme, to judge programme merit and to generate knowledge about programme functioning. Process evaluation explains the operation of the programme, service delivery and the utilisation of resources with a view to continuous improvement. However, process evaluation has been neglected despite the significant role it plays in the continuum of evaluation strategies. In South Africa, the poor performance of Grade 12 learners has led to the introduction of the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP) to reduce the number of failures in the matriculation examination and improve the results, particularly in underperforming secondary schools. This study evaluated the delivery of the SSIP in the Tshwane West district through process evaluation using qualitative research methods. As part of the evaluation, relevant records and SSIP documents, which yielded information on the participating schools, learner attendance, the tutors and their qualifications were examined. During the course of the fieldwork, 10 lesson presentations were observed and 10 tutors were interviewed immediately thereafter. Ten learners, the Programme Coordinator and 3 site managers volunteered for interviews about the programme. Findings indicated the necessity of tutor training in the use of the programme materials and frequent assessment of learners to determine improvements in learner performance. The SSIP should focus not only on improving matriculation results but also on the education and professional development of educators. To enhance effective programme delivery, innovative and modern teaching resources, such as computers to access the internet and other technologies, should be introduced. Based on the findings, it was recommended that SSIP should not be confined to underperforming schools but should be extended to other schools as well. Learner feedback on strengths and weaknesses in the programme and how the latter can be remedied will contribute to programme improvement. Finally, this study reflects the need to adopt process evaluation as a significant component of evaluation and advocates further research conducted on other areas of evaluation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The aim of the study was to investigate the motivation and job satisfaction of teachers in the Ilembe District of KwaZulu-Natal. To this end, a literature study was undertaken on relevant theories and on the results of previous research on the issue. This was followed by an empirical investigation. The research design was a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. During the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire was completed by 100 respondents from five secondary schools. The qualitative phase involved a phenomenological study in which 16 teachers from the same schools were interviewed. This research found that the teachers generally exhibited high self-efficacies. Teachers with positive self-efficacies were more satisfied with their physical environments and their school’s cultures than the others. However, teachers of different age groups, post levels and personality types were in agreement that the physical working conditions at rural schools were not conducive to effective teaching and learning. Parental involvement in school matters was restricted due to poverty and illiteracy. These factors served to lower teacher motivation and job satisfaction. In addition, teachers believed that school policies related to remuneration, safety and security, school governance, and assessments and evaluations needed to be revised if teacher motivation and job satisfaction were to be raised. Teachers were unhappy with their workloads and the multiple roles they played at school. With respect to interpersonal relations, their relations with their school principals, School Management Teams and parents were unconstructive. Many learners were also ill-disciplined and underachievers. Some significant differences in perceptions were found. Male teachers were more satisfied with policies, interpersonal relationships and school organisation. African teachers were happier than Indian teachers with policies and the nature of the work. Teachers with 26 and more years of experience were less negative about their physical environments. Qualifications also made a difference: teachers with certificates only were the least satisfied with their physical environments, school organisation and structure. Most importantly, teachers who were given the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to be successful, was significantly more satisfied with work-related issues. The study made recommendations to improve the motivation and job satisfaction of teachers. / Education Leadership and Management / D.Ed.(Education Management)

In this study, the researcher aimed to investigate and explore the instructional leadership role of the high school head in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL), with specific reference to high schools in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. In an attempt to realise that end, a qualitative approach drawing from ethnographic studies was used to collect data. Therefore, the research instruments included qualitative observations, individual and focus group interviews and document analysis. The participants included five high school heads, ten heads of departments (HODs), ten assistant teachers, and twenty five parents. These were drawn from the five high schools selected for the study. The main findings of the study are that a model for effective instructional leadership aimed at creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) consists of long-term and short-term dimensions. The long-term instructional leadership dimension comprises: visioning, communication of the school vision, value management, professional development of staff, and empowerment. The short-term instructional leadership dimension comprises of characteristics of the instructional leader, characteristics of the followers and characteristics of the situation. Characteristics of the instructional leader include his or her perception of stakeholders, task or people orientation, personality, knowledge and experience, value system and trust in followers. Characteristics of the followers include their readiness to take responsibility, motivation to excel, knowledge and experience. Characteristics of the situation include the school climate and culture, relationships among members of the school community, structuring of tasks, availability of human and material resources, and the use of incentives. The effective application of the instructional leadership model for effective practice by the high school head as the instructional leader in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) takes into account both the long-term and short-term dimensions of effective instructional leadership in order to achieve meaningful educational change. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

DEd (Curriculum Studies) / Department of Curriculum Studies / The focus of this study was to investigate the sustainability of teaching Consumer Studies as a school subject. The study was conducted in Vhembe District schools. The main purpose of the study was to establish the extent of the challenges affecting the sustainability of teaching Consumer Studies and to develop the necessary measures to address them. Consumer Studies is in a struggle for legitimacy as a school subject, despite its recognition and designation by the Department of Education. The study argued that Consumer Studies as a school subject is a tool for creating a sustainable future for learners. The nature of the study demanded for the adoption of a qualitative research design. Purposeful sampling procedure was used to select the population for the study. 42 secondary schools which offered Consumer Studies in all the circuits of the Vhembe District were purposefully selected. Participants constituted of school principals, heads of departments and Consumer Studies teachers of the sampled schools. Interviews, Observation and Document analysis were used as strategies for data collection. Data was analyzed thematically. The study revealed that Consumer Studies as a school subject was gradually downgraded and was not given the value that it deserves by the relevant authorities. This was evident as five out of the fifteen sampled schools were in the process of excluding the subject from the curricular. The study also revealed that the school subject Consumer Studies was not promoted as a viable career option for learners. The subject was regarded as an elective in the curricular of most schools selected for the study. It was recommended that the value of Consumer Studies be considered in order to avoid its elimination while other learning areas were added into the system and given compulsory status as well. The study further recommends the promotion of Consumer Studies as a viable career option for learners at secondary schools. The study suggested a model for sustaining the teaching of Consumer Studies at secondary schools. / NRF