The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which principals of schools in Gauteng are implementing co-operative school governance. The shift to co-operative governance is a result of new legislation, and in particular the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, which aims at redressing the inequalities of past legislation. To determine the extent, to which principals are engaged in co-operative governance, a questionnaire was designed to elicit essential information as to how co-operative governance has been practically implemented. The research attempted to evaluate the commitment and dedication of principals to the process of shared decision-making; decentralisation and accountability; to engendering healthy relations with governors; to ensure that legislation is complied with as regards the composition of governing bodies; and to encourage governors to attend training. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which principals of schools in Gauteng are implementing co-operative school governance. The shift to co-operative governance is a result of new legislation, and in particular the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, which aims at redressing the inequalities of past legislation. To determine the extent, to which principals are engaged in co-operative governance, a questionnaire was designed to elicit essential information as to how co-operative governance has been practically implemented. The research attempted to evaluate the commitment and dedication of principals to the process of shared decision-making; decentralisation and accountability; to engendering healthy relations with governors; to ensure that legislation is complied with as regards the composition of governing bodies; and to encourage governors to attend training. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

The researcher investigated the management and implementation of the Common Tasks for Assessment Instrument as a tool for assessing Grade 9 learners in public schools. The objectives were to investigate: * what the CTA Instrument entails for teaching and learning * its positive and negative aspects * training and development of the school management teams (SMTs) and Grade 9 educators in preparation for the implementation * the management of its implementation * learner performance Four schools, comprising two urban and two township schools from the former Transvaal Education Department and the House of Delegates, respectively, were involved in this qualitative study. Grade 9 educators, SMT members and district officials were interviewed in this exploratory case study. The study indicates that: * The CTA Instrument entails a large amount of work for little marks. * Educators identified a few positive and a large number of negative aspects of the Instrument. * Training and development for SMTs and Grade 9 educators were inadequate. * Management styles and models, and leadership styles and models varied. The quality of management practices differed from one school to another. * On the whole, although implementation was satisfactory it was fraught with numerous problems largely relating to management's lack of effective support, their inadequate training and poor assessment competence, insufficient guidance for instruction, limited resources, learner apathy, staff instability, and absenteeism, amongst other problems. * Although some of the learners performed very well, this should not distract attention from the majority who performed badly. Factors such as poor socio- economic backgrounds, learners' negative attitudes, their insufficient participation and poor commitment to their studies, amongst others, affected their involvement and the overall results. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

The researcher investigated the management and implementation of the Common Tasks for Assessment Instrument as a tool for assessing Grade 9 learners in public schools. The objectives were to investigate: * what the CTA Instrument entails for teaching and learning * its positive and negative aspects * training and development of the school management teams (SMTs) and Grade 9 educators in preparation for the implementation * the management of its implementation * learner performance Four schools, comprising two urban and two township schools from the former Transvaal Education Department and the House of Delegates, respectively, were involved in this qualitative study. Grade 9 educators, SMT members and district officials were interviewed in this exploratory case study. The study indicates that: * The CTA Instrument entails a large amount of work for little marks. * Educators identified a few positive and a large number of negative aspects of the Instrument. * Training and development for SMTs and Grade 9 educators were inadequate. * Management styles and models, and leadership styles and models varied. The quality of management practices differed from one school to another. * On the whole, although implementation was satisfactory it was fraught with numerous problems largely relating to management's lack of effective support, their inadequate training and poor assessment competence, insufficient guidance for instruction, limited resources, learner apathy, staff instability, and absenteeism, amongst other problems. * Although some of the learners performed very well, this should not distract attention from the majority who performed badly. Factors such as poor socio- economic backgrounds, learners' negative attitudes, their insufficient participation and poor commitment to their studies, amongst others, affected their involvement and the overall results. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)