The role played by the principal as instructional leader worldwide is critical due to its direct and indirect impact on learner achievement.In South African primary schools the role of the principal as instructional leader in improving learning achievement is a pressing issue since most South African primary school learners perform far below par as determined by benchmarking carried out by local and international education assessment agencies with reference to curriculum goals and literacy and numeracy milestones.This descriptive exploratory study examined the role of the principal as instructional leader in primary schools in South Africa with special reference to the Tshwane South District, Gauteng Province. The study was informed by a literature review of local and international sources related to theoretical perspectives on instructional leadership, the features of instructional leadership that impact on learner achievement and selected models of instructional leadership. An overview of contextual and school factors which shape primary school learner achievement in South Africa with reference to the rural and township communities also framed the empirical inquiry. A mixed method study was conducted according to two phases: Phase 1 comprised the quantitative component (questionnaires); Phase 2 comprised the qualitative component (interviews). Both phases were conducted in the Tshwane South District, Gauteng Province. In both phases data were gathered from primary school principals and Institute Development Support Officials (IDSOs) selected by random and purposeful sampling respectively. The questionnaire findings indicated that the principals and IDSOs had adequate qualifications and experience, and that key school policies are in place. However, the principals are less confident about policy implementation, particularly with regard to educator and learner discipline. They face many systemic problems, such as inadequate school resources and additional funds in no fee-paying schools to improve the infrastructure and reduce the learner-teacher ratios. The findings from the interviews indicated that the principals struggle to maintain participative management with the school governing bodies; are hampered by contextual factors, especially poor school infrastructure; and are challenged to meet the requirements of annual benchmarking assessments. Based on the findings of the literature study and the empirical inquiry recommendations are made to improve practice, including a call for the professional development of principals in project management and fundraising. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Seventeen years after the passing and enactment of the South African Schools Act (SASA), Act 84 of 1996 which regulates the establishment of democratically elected school governing bodies (SGB) and which contains directives on how to organise and manage school funds, SGBs are still struggling to understand their roles and responsibilities. This study is aimed at investigating the perceptions of school governing body members as regards to their financial management roles in selected no-fee schools in the Maraba Circuit of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used a qualitative research design within the interpretive paradigm. In addition, decentralisation theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. A sample comprising 22 participants from six selected no-fee schools was purposefully selected to act as the research participants. Semi-structured interviews and document analyses of official documents were conducted in order to collect the requisite data. The research participants included school principals, SGB chairpersons, treasurers and finance officers. The data collected was qualitatively analysed through coding and categorisation. The study revealed that the perceptions, experience and understanding of their financial management roles of SGB members often differ. In addition the study discloses that many of the participants lacked competency. In other words they lacked the proper knowledge and skills required to manage their school funds effectively. It would appear that their lack of the proper knowledge and skills was related primarily to their literacy levels and lack of training. The study concluded with the recommendations that SGB members be empowered through continuous and effective training to enable them to understand and fulfill their financial management roles. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Since the discovery of HIV/AIDS in the late 1980s, the pandemic has become the leading cause of death in South Africa and one of the leading causes worldwide. South Africa has the largest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in the world. South African teachers, in particular, have experienced unparalleled challenges as a result of HIV/AIDS. This qualitative research study was designed to explore how principals handle the sensitive HIV/AIDS-related issues affecting teachers in schools in South Africa’s Gauteng Province. The study was carried out within the constructivist paradigm. The narrative inquiry research design within the qualitative research approach was used with purposive and network sampling of participants. The sample consisted of ten handpicked principals and eight teachers living with HIV/AIDS accessed through network sampling from around the province. Data were collected through narrative interviews and the compilation of a reflective diary. The data were analysed according to the qualitative content analysis method. Consent was elicited from participants with confidentiality, anonymity and trust maintained throughout the study. The participants’ most common responses were that teachers living with HIV/AIDS are faced with the dilemma of disclosure and stigma and discrimination. This research showed that principals are experiencing a range of challenges due to teachers living with HIV/AIDS. The goals of quality education are often defeated because of the challenges surrounding teachers living with HIV/AIDS. Once teachers succumb to the opportunistic illnesses associated with HIV/AIDS, their productivity deteriorates. Principals were clear about the inadequacy that they experience in responding to HIV/AIDS-related issues amongst teachers. They lack the training and management skills to develop long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on teaching and learning. Teacher absenteeism is rife, causing drastically detrimental effects to teaching and learning programmes and posing serious challenges to principals, who are not equipped with the required information and resources. It was evident in this research study that infected teachers often fail to take responsibility or disclose their status; instead, they look to principals for solutions to their HIV/AIDS-related problems. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

School Governing Bodies (SGBs) function across South Africa as governance structures aimed at improving effectiveness of the schools. The appointment of SGB's and their establishment to improve school governance is not only unique to South Africa but is a trend in all democratically elected countries such as the United States, Britain, Australia and Brazil. The purpose of this study was to explore the leadership role of the School Governing Bodies in selected South African secondary schools. The study was underpinned by four leadership theories namely, the contingency theory, participative theory, transformational theory and the instructional leadership theory. An empirical investigation was informed by the literature review. The qualitative study was guided by an interpretive paradigm. Purposive sampling was used to select four secondary schools in Nkomazi West Circuit, Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga. A total number of four SGB's from each school and the school principals participated in this study. Observations of SGB meetings, individual interviews with the principals of the participating schools and focus group interviews with SGB members were used to collect data, which were analysed using a qualitative approach. The findings revealed that SGB's in the four participating schools did not experience major challenges in executing their roles because they had a clear understanding of their responsibilities. However, lack of adequate training with regard to financial management was a challenge. Further findings indicated that all SGB members had received training on various aspects of school management before they commenced with their duties. Most training workshops were conducted in English and although this was not an obstacle to study participants, it was a challenge SGBs. It is therefore recommended that adequate financial management workshops be conducted and that further workshops be organised by principals at school level to address SGB members’ specific needs. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Abstracts in English, Zulu and Swazi / This study aimed to investigate and find strategies that might improve School A's Grade 12 results through the principal's visionary leadership. The theoretical framework that informed this study was the school principal as a visionary leader, which plays a critical role in ensuring the quality of teaching and learning is improved by providing necessary resources for teachers and learners and creating a sound culture of teaching-learning. Upper Echelon Theory's effectiveness is based on strategic choices by visionary leadership and school performance principles that served as the theoretical framework. A qualitative research approach was used for this study, as it allowed the researcher to conduct in-depth interviews with ten school principals in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga, and examined relevant documents to collect data. The research indicates that most schools acknowledge the importance of visionary leadership and proved that there were many execution gaps in implementing the intervention strategies that needed to be addressed, such as lack of effective visionary leadership, lack of unity, support to teachers, monitoring of teaching and learning and recruiting quality teachers in Grade 12. The study recommends that school principals need to implement more effective leadership, strategic planning and implementation of policy, communication, parental involvement accountability, effective monitoring and placement of quality teachers to teach Grade 12 learners. / Izindlela ezsetshenziswa ngothisha-nhloko abanobuholi obubhekela phambili ekwenzeni ncono izinga lokuphumelela ebangeni leshumi nambili kuzikole ezinemiphumela emihle. Lolucwaningo lugcile ekufunisiseni izindlela ezingenza ncono izinga lokuphumelela ngamalengiso ebangeni leshumi nambili ngokuholwa ngothisha-nhloko ababonela phambili izinto.Lolucwaningo lusekelwe ngolwazi olutholakele kwabanye ababonise ukuthi ubukhona bukathisha-nhloko obukela izinto phambili budlala inzima enkulu ekucinisekiseni ngezinga eliphezulu lokufundisa nokufunda ngoku nikeza izinsiza zokufunda nokufundisa kubothisha nakubafundi kanye nokwakha isiko lokufunda nokufundisa .I- ‘Upper Echelon Theory’, ukuphumelela kwayo kusekeleke kuzindlela nakuncubo-mgomo yabaholi abanombono. Lolucwaningo olukhethekile lokuthola ulwazi ngokukhulumisana nalabo abathinteka-ngco ivumela ukuthi uhlolo lwenziwe ngendlela yamanje yobuchwepheshe ngokukhulumisana nabothisha-nhloko abalishumi kusiyingi sase- Ehlanzeni, e-Mpumalanga, nokuthola eminye lanemininngwane ezincwadini zesikolo . Lolucwaningo luthole ukuthi abahlanganyeli abaningi bavumelana ngokuthi othishanhloko abanemibono babalulekile ekucinisekiseni ukuthi izindlela ezintsha zokuphumelelisa imiphumela; ukuncenga othisha abasezingeni eliphezulu kudinga ukwakhiwa .Lolucwaningo lusekela umbono wokuthi izikolo zidinga othisha –nhloko abazocinisekisa ukusethenziswa kwezindlela ezintsha kanye neku heha othisha abasezingeni eliphezulu ukuze bafundise abafundi bebanga leshumi-nakubili ukuze kukhushulwe imiphumela yebanga leshumi nakubili. / Tindlela letisentjentiswa ngubothishela-nhloko labanemibono kwenta ncono lizinga lekuphumelela ebangeni lelishumi-nakubili etkolweni letinemiphumela lemihle. Lelicwaningo ligxile ekufunisiseni tindlela letingenta ncono lizinga lekuphumelela ngemalengiso elibangeni lelishumi nakubili Lelicwaningo lelikhetsekile lokutfola lwati ngekucocisananalabo labatsintseka-nco kuloko lokukhulunyiswana ngako, ivumela nekutsi lokucocisana kungentiwa ngetindlela tamanje tebuchwepheshe ngekukhulumisana nabothishela-nhloko labalishumiesiyingini sase-Ehlanzeni, eMpumalanga, nekutfola leminye mininngwane etincwadzini tesikolwa letigciniwe. Lelicwaningo litfole kutsi labahlanganyeli kulelicwaningo bayavumelana ngekutsi bothishela-nhloko lababukela tintfo phambili babaluleke kakhulu ngobe ngibo labacinisekisa kutsi kusetshentiswa kwetindlela letisha nekuheha bothishela labasezingeni lelisetulu kuyayikhuphula miphumela yetikolwa. ngekuholwa ngubothishela-nhloko lababonela tintfo phambili. Lolucwaningo lutfole kutsi kuliciniso kutsi bothishela-nhloko lababonela tintfo phambili bayakwati kutsi kuheha bothishela labasezingeni lelisetulu nekusebentisa tindlela letihlukahlukene ekufundziseni kuyayi phakamisa imphumelelo yebafundzi nemiphumela yesikolo. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of instructional leadership on the culture of teaching and learning in ten rural schools of the Eastern Cape categorised as performing and under performing schools. The research utilises the transformational leadership theory in its theoretical analytical framework as the model for effective leadership. The research argues that principals’ instructional leadership can significantly improve teacher engagement, teacher collaboration and learner performances in the ten rural schools. The study draws on the qualitative research methodology, instruments utilised are interviews of teachers, principals and top education officials within the Buffalo City Municipality. Past matric results of the rural schools under consideration were retrieved from the archives of the National Senior Certificate Results to measure the impact of instructional leadership on the culture of teaching and learning and learners’ performances. The study concludes that there is a relationship between instructional leadership and learners’ outcomes. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management)

Students no longer respond to content-driven, teacher-centred learning. Literature reveals that changes in methodology and pedagogy of teachers needs to take place in order to keep education relevant and engaging. Classrooms where critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration are embraced are required in schools. The environment where these components are present can be referred to as 21st century classrooms. Establishing these locales require a leader who is able to create the vision for the changes that need to take place. One who will fashion a learning environment where teachers feel secure and have the confidence through teacher development to embark on and embrace a new arrangement in their classroom. The principal needs to embrace his/her instructional role in establishing these 21st century classrooms. This research project investigated precisely what the instructional role of the principal necessitates in aiding teachers to establish 21st century classrooms. A qualitative research design, embedded in the constructivist paradigm in the form of a hermeneutic study was chosen as research method. Using semi-structured interviews, the researcher attempted to find out how the principal of each school visited, viewed 21st century classrooms, as well as what skills and knowledge he/she required as the instructional leader in leading teachers to establish 21st century classrooms. The researcher used purposeful sampling to select the participants who would have the greatest insight into establishing 21st century classrooms at their school. Trustworthiness was ensured in the collection and interpretation of data. The researcher transcribed the collected data and it was later analysed. Once analysed, the data was interpreted and arranged under the research sub-questions. The findings established that each participant is quite knowledgeable concerning the attributes and characteristics of a 21st century classroom. Many of the principals played a strong instructional role in their school and displayed many of the characteristics and skills necessary to create an environment where teachers could competently bring 21st century skills and knowledge into their classrooms. In most of the schools visited, 21st century classrooms are well on their way to being established. It is evident that the theory of 21st century classrooms is far more prevalent in some of the schools visited than the practical application thereof. In some of the schools visited a whole philosophy of learning, which encases all the 21st century attributes has been implemented. Each school could be placed on a continuum, with no one school being at the same space in their journey to implement 21st century skills and knowledge into their teachers’ pedagogy. / Leerders reageer nie meer op inhoudgedrewe en/of onderwysgesentreerde onderrig nie. Literatuur toon dat veranderinge in onderwysmetodiek en pedagogie moet plaasvind ten einde onderwys relevant en interessant te hou. Klaskamers waarin kritiese denke, kommunikasie, kreatiwiteit en samewerking omhels word, is die nuwe maatstaf. Die omgewing waarin hierdie komponente teenwoordig is, word na verwys as die 21ste eeu klaskamers. Die stigting van 21ste eeu klaskamers vereis ʼn leier wat in staat is om ʼn visie te skep en dit na te volg. Een wat ʼn leeromgewing verseker waarin onderwysers veilig voel en selfvertroue opbou deur personeelontwikkeling. Sodoende word onderwysers bemagtig om die nuwe veranderinge in die klaskamer te omhels. Die skoolhoof speel ʼn sterk rol in die vestiging van hierdie 21ste eeu klaskamers en moet dus ʼn instruktiewe rol aanneem. Hierdie navorsingsprojek ondersoek wat presies hierdie instruktiewe rol van die skoolhoof behels in die ondersteuning van onderwysers om hul toe te rus vir 21ste eeu klaskamers. Hierdie navorsingsprojek is gebaseer op ʼn kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp, gegrond op die konstruktivistiese paradigma in die vorm van ʼn fenomenologiese studie. Deur gebruik te maak van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, het die navorser gepoog om uit te vind hoe die skoolhoof van elke skool wat besoek is, 21ste eeu klaskamers beskou en oor watter vaardighede en kennis ʼn skoolhoof as onderrigleier moet beskik om onderwysers in 21ste eeu klaskamers te vestig. Die navorser het van ʼn doelbewuste steekproef gebruik gemaak om geskikte kandidate te identifiseer wat kennis dra oor die vestiging van 21ste eeu klaskamers by hul eie skole. Betroubaarheid van die data is verseker deur die versameling en interpretasie daarvan. Die data is deur die navorser getranskribeer en later ontleed. Na analise is die data geïnterpreteer en dan in geskikte navorsings sub-vrae ingedeel. Die bevinding was dat elke kandidaat grondige kennis aangaande die eienskappe en kenmerke van 21ste eeu klaskamers het. Baie van die hoofde vervul ʼn sterk instruktiewe rol in hul skool en beskik oor die nodige eienskappe en vaardighede om ʼn omgewing te skep waarin onderwysers met bevoegdheid 21ste eeu vaardighede en kennis in hul klaskamers kan toepas. In meeste van die skole wat besoek is, is 21ste eeu klaskamers besig om pos te vat. Dit is ook duidelik dat die teorie van 21ste eeu klaskamers baie meer op die voorgrond is by sommige van die skole wat besoek is, as wat die praktiese toepassing daarvan is. In sommige van die skole wat besoek is, is ʼn leerfilosofie wat alle 21ste eeu kenmerke omvat geïmplementeer. Daar is ʼn kontinuum waarop elke skool geplaas kan word wat aandui dat nie een skool op dieselfde vlak in hul implementering van 21ste eeu vaardighede en kennis in hul onderwyspedagogie is nie. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

South African history clearly illuminates the idea that women are regarded as unequal when compared to their male counterparts. Hence, women in general have been marginalized, especially when it comes to advancing in the workplace. Women are often defined in relation to motherhood, caring for others and for providing the necessities for sustenance. Society today has not moved very far from this idea. This is the reason why women often suffer a disadvantage when it comes to being appointed in leadership positions in South African education, even though the legislation makes provision for gender balance in South African education. This study examined the role of female principals as transformational leaders to improve schools in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal. A qualitative investigation at three schools in the uMgungundlovu District was conducted. Nine participants were selected and data was collected by means of in-depth interviews and document analysis was done as a method of data collection. The findings of the study revealed that female leaders are taking a stand in education and are successfully implementing strategies to improve their schools. The study recommends that future female leaders are empowered at the beginning of their careers and they should learn skills that empower them so there are no excuses for being side lined when it comes to leadership positions. / Nalane ea Afrika Boroa e hlakisa mohopolo oa hore basali ba nkoe ba sa lekane ha ba bapisoa le balekane ba bona ba banna. Kahoo, basali ka kakaretso ba bile e behelletsoe ka thoko, haholo-holo ha ho tluoa khatelo-peleng ea mosebetsi. Basali hangata e hlalositsoeng kamanong le bo-mme, ho tsotella ba bang le ho fana ka litlhoko tsa Lintho tsa ho iphelisa. Mokhatlo kajeno ha o falle hole le mohopolo ona. Lena ke lona lebaka basali hangata ba le mathata ha ho tluoa ho khethoa boeta-pele maemo mo thutong ya Aforika Borwa, leha molao o fana ka sebaka sa tekano ea bong lithutong tsa Afrika Boroa Thutong ena ho ile ha hlahlojoa karolo ea basali lihlooho tsa boetapele ba phetoho ho ntlafatsa likolo setereke sa Umgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal. Patlisiso e nang le bokhoni likolong tse tharo Seterekeng sa Umgungundlovu e ne e tsamaisoa. Lintlha li ile tsa bokelloa ka lipuisano tse tebileng le sampole ea barupeluoa ba robong le tlhahlobo ea litokomane e entsoe e le mokhoa oa ho bokella data. The liphumano tsa boithuto li senotse hore baetapele ba basali ba nka karolo lithutong mme ba sebelisa ka katleho maano a ho ntlafatsa likolo tsa bona. Boithuto bo khothalletsa hore baetapele ba basali ba kamoso ba matlafatsoa qalong ea mesebetsi ea bona le bona ba lokela ho ithuta malebela a ba matlafatsang kahoo ha ho na mabaka a hore ba beheletsoe ka thoko ha e tla maemong a boetapele. / Umlando waseNingizimu Afrika ukhanyisa kahle umbono wokuthi abesifazane babhekwa njengabalingani uma kuqhathaniswa nabalingani babo besilisa. Ngakho-ke, abesifazane bebonke bebelokhu ebekelwe eceleni, ikakhulukazi uma kukhulunywa ngentuthuko emsebenzini. Abesifazane bavame kuchazwa maqondana nokuba ngumama, ukunakekela abanye nokuhlinzeka ngezidingo zeukondla. Umphakathi namhlanje awusususanga kude kakhulu kulo mbono. Lesi isizathu sokuthi kungani abesifazane bavame ukuhlupheka lapho kukhulunywa ngokuqokwa ebuholini izikhundla emfundweni yaseNingizimu Afrika, yize umthetho ubeka umthetho ukulingana ngokobulili emfundweni yaseNingizimu Afrika Lolu cwaningo luhlolisise iqhaza lowesifazane othishanhloko njengabaholi bezinguquko ukwenza ngcono izikole esifundeni saseMgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natali. Uphenyo olufanele ezikoleni ezintathu ezifunda eMgungundlovu District yaqhutshwa. Idatha iqoqwe ngokusebenzisa izingxoxo ezijulile ngesampula ye ababambiqhaza abayisishiyagalolunye kanye nokuhlaziywa kwedokhumenti kwenziwa njengendlela yokuqoqa idatha. The Imiphumela yocwaningo iveze ukuthi abaholi besifazane bayabamba iqhaza kwezemfundo ukusebenzisa amasu ngempumelelo ukwenza ngcono izikole zabo. Ucwaningo luyancoma ukuthi abaholi besifazane besikhathi esizayo banikezwa amandla ekuqaleni kwemisebenzi yabo futhi bona kumele afunde amakhono awanikayo amandla ngakho-ke akunazaba zokufakwa kolayini lapho iza ezikhundleni zobuholi. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The role of school management on the qualitative provision of inclusive education in designated full-service schools in North West Province is vital for optimum accommodation of learner diversity in ordinary mainstream primary schools. The school management of designated primary schools are assigned with the task of ensuring that inclusive education policy and practices are adopted and implemented by all stakeholders as prescribed by policy in their respective schools. This dissertation sought to investigate at a micro perspective the impact of school managers as individual employees and their response to the new inclusive education system in their schools. The study also identifies factors that facilitate or hinder their role. A qualitative approach and the case study design were applied in this study. Five schools were purposefully selected and total of 40 participants were involved. The participants include five principals, five deputy principals, ten heads of departments (HoDs) and 20 members of the SBST. Data were collected by conducting individual interviews for principals and deputy principals and focus group interviews for HoDs and members of SBST. The findings reveal that the school managers, SBST and stakeholders like parents do not yet understand the reasons behind expansion of inclusive education in their schools. The study reveals that the school management are still finding it difficult to fulfil their role and responsibility. This is owing to numerous challenges emanating from inadequate support from district based support teams or departmental officials, pedagogical barriers, systemic barriers, insufficient staffing, lack of human resource development through trainings, infrastructure challenges, resistance to policy such as SIAS and lack of knowledge of assistive devices. Subsequent to that, literature review reveals that studies on implementing inclusive education in schools focus largely on the plight and role of teachers and that little attention was paid to the role of school management on the provision of inclusive education. To enhance the impact of school management on provision of inclusive education and to address prohibiting factors noted form the findings, the study recommends to the department an intensive and structured capacity building programmes for departmental officials, school management, curriculum specialists, senior managers with specific reference to inclusive teaching strategies, admission within protocol of SIAS policy, and curriculum differentiation using assistive devices. A proposed model to improve the impact of school management on the provision of inclusive education with specific reference to administer admission within SIAS protocol is presented. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The study sought to investigate the role of Heads of Departments (HoDs) in the teaching of mathematics in primary schools of the Eastern Cape Province in the OR Tambo Inland District using a qualitative approach and a case study design in particular. Data was collected using both semi-structured and focus group interviews with eight purposively selected heads of departments in the district in six schools. Data was analysed using Colaizzi’s method of data analysis from which three themes emerged. The first one was that the current performance management system interfered with the roles and responsibilities of the HoDs in schools in their daily activities and in the organisation of their work. Second, the barriers in achieving learners’ good performance in mathematics interfered with the HoDs’ responsibilities to achieve good learner performance in the subject. Third, a weak support system and inadequate resources interfered with the learners’ performance in the subject. The results here indicate that HoDs for mathematics experience various obstacles, which affect subject teachers’ implementation to yield positive results, ultimately leading to poor teaching and learning of the subject. These include the admission of learners without the necessary foundations in mathematics which was viewed as an obstacle to learner performance. The study further suggested that the HoDs of mathematics should be capacitated on use of teaching aids, management and administration to improve learner performance in the subject. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)